Long Term Physical, Mental and Social Health Effects of COVID-19 in the Pediatric Population: A Scoping Review

ABSTRACT

BackgroundThe majority of COVID-19 symptom presentations in adults and children appear to run their course within a couple of weeks. However, a subgroup of adults has started to emerge with effects lasting several months or more after initial infection. However, little is known about long term physical, mental and social health effects of COVID-19 in the pediatric population. The purpose of this review was to determine these impacts well into the second year of the pandemic. MethodsA search was conducted using PUBMED, Web of Science, Science Direct, and COCHRANE between 11/1/2019 and 9/1/2021. Search inclusion criteria were as follows (1) COVID-19 illness and symptoms in children; (2) SARS-COv2 in children; (3) English language; and (4) human studies only. ResultsThe few studies that have documented long-term physical symptoms in children show that fatigue, difficulty in concentrating (brain fog), sleep disturbances, and sensory problems are the most reported outcomes. Most studies examining the impact of COVID-19 in pediatric populations have focused on initial clinical presentation, and symptoms, which are similar to those in adult populations. Additionally, COVID-19 has had a moderate impact on children and adolescents social environment, which may exacerbate current and future physiological, psychological, behavioral, and academic outcomes. ConclusionsThere are limited studies reporting long physical symptoms of COVID-19 in the pediatric population. However, pediatric COVID-19 cases are underreported due to low rates of testing and symptomatic infection, which calls for more longitudinal studies. Children who have experienced COVID-19 illness should be monitored for long physiological, psychological, behavioral, and academic outcomes.