Stephenson, Terence, Pinto Pereira, Snehal M, Nugawela, Manjula D, Dalrymple, Emma, Harnden, Anthony, Whittaker, Elizabeth, Heyman, Isobel, Ford, Tamsin, Segal, Terry, Chalder, Trudie et al (show 16 more authors)
(2024)
A 24-month National Cohort Study examining long-term effects of COVID-19 in children and young people
COMMUNICATIONS MEDICINE, 4 (1).
255-.
ISSN 2730-664X, 2730-664X
Abstract
Background: Some children and young people (CYP) infected with SARS-COV-2 experience impairing symptoms post-infection, known as post-COVID-19 condition (PCC). Using data from the National Long COVID in Children and Young People (CloCk) study, we report symptoms and their impact up to 24-months post-infection. Methods: CloCk is a cohort of CYP in England aged 11-to-17-years when they had a SARS-CoV-2 PCR-test (between September 2020 and March 2021). Of 31,012 eligible CYP 24-months post-PCR test, 12,632 participated (response = 40.7%). CYP were grouped by infection status: ‘initial test-negatives; no subsequent positive-test’ (NN); ‘initial test-negatives; subsequent positive-test’ (NP); ‘initial test-positives; no reported re-infection’ (PN); and ‘initial test-positives; reported re-infection’ (PP). The Delphi research definition of PCC in CYP was operationalised; symptom severity/impact and validated scales (e.g., Chalder Fatigue Scale) were recorded. We examine symptom profiles 24-month post-index-test by infection status. Results: 7.2% of CYP consistently fulfil the PCC definition at 3-, 6-, 12- and 24-months. These CYPs have a median of 5-to-6 symptoms at each time-point. Between 20% and 25% of all infection status groups report 3+ symptoms 24-months post-testing; 10–25% experience 5+ symptoms. The reinfected group has more symptoms than the other positive groups; the NN group has the lowest symptom burden (p < 0.001). PCC is more common in older CYPs and in the most deprived. Symptom severity/impact is higher in those fulfilling the PCC definition. Conclusions: The discrepancy in the proportion of CYP fulfilling the Delphi PCC definition at 24-months and those consistently fulfilling the definition across time, highlights the importance of longitudinal studies and the need to consider clinical impairment and range of symptoms.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | CLoCk Consortium |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Health & Life Sciences Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Infection, Vet & Ecological Sciences |
| Depositing User: | Symplectic Admin |
| Date Deposited: | 19 Dec 2024 08:16 |
| Last Modified: | 23 May 2026 09:37 |
| DOI: | 10.1038/s43856-024-00657-x |
| Open Access URL: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s43856-024-00657-x |
| Related Websites: | |
| URI: | https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3189318 |
| Disclaimer: | The University of Liverpool is not responsible for content contained on other websites from links within repository metadata. Please contact us if you notice anything that appears incorrect or inappropriate. |
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