RT journal article
T1 Children and young people with persistent post-COVID-19 condition over 24 months: a mixed-methods study
A1 Ortega Martín, María Esther
A1 Richards-Belle, Alvin
A1 Newlands, Fiona
A1 Shafran, Roz
A1 Stephenson, Terence
A1 Rojas, Natalia
A1 Batura, Neha
A1 Buszewicz, Marta
A1 Dalrymple, Emma
A1 Heyman, Isobel
A1 Pinto Pereira, Snehal M.
A2 Economía General
K1 Adolescent Health
K1 Child Health
K1 COVID-19
K1 Health services research
K1 Qualitative research
AB Purpose While most children and young people (CYP) recover from COVID-19, some develop ‘post-COVID-19 condition’ (PCC), affecting their health and well-being. We explored (1) whether distinct persistent PCC symptom subgroups exist in CYP and whether these subgroups remain stable up to 24 months postinfection; (2) whether impairments differ across subgroups and (3) how CYP with persistent PCC describe the evolving impact of the pandemic/lockdowns on their health and experiences up to 24 months postinfection. Methods A cohort of CYP across England was recruited in 2020–2021 (the children and young people with Long COVID study). A subsample of 68 CYP meeting the PCC Delphi research definition at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months post-PCR-confirmed infection was analysed. Latent class analysis identified symptom subgroups (objective 1); associations with impairments (measured via EuroQol Five Dimensions Youth) were examined (objective 2). Free-text responses from six CYP at all four follow-up points (n=24) were thematically analysed to capture evolving experiences (objective 3). Results Included CYP were older (72.1% were 15–17 years), female (82.4%) and white (80.9%). Two symptom groups emerged: a frequent symptom subgroup (median: 6.5–9 symptoms over time, mainly shortness of breath and tiredness); and a less frequent symptom subgroup (median: 4–5 symptoms, mostly tiredness). Generally, no association was found between symptom subgroups and impairments. Qualitative analysis indicated feelings of anxiety, respiratory problems and concerns around relaxation of lockdown restrictions persisted over followup. School-related worries were transient. Discussion Even CYP with persistent PCC characterised by fewer symptoms experience long-term anxiety and impact, emphasising even few symptoms can be debilitating and underscoring the need for personalised PCC management for CYP.
PB BMJ Publishing Group
SN 2399-9772
YR 2025
FD 2025
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10498/39319
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10498/39319
LA eng
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Cádiz
RD 21-sep-2026