Prevalence and Symptom Profile of Long COVID Among Schoolchildren in Vietnam

Overview

Journal Viruses

Publisher MDPI

Specialty Microbiology

Date 2024 Jul 27

PMID 39066184

Authors

Trang Thu Vu

Khanh Cong Nguyen

Hieu Thi Nguyen

Anh Hoang

Nghia Duy Ngu

Duong Nhu Tran

Hoa Bich Phan

Ha Thi Thu Nguyen

Thai Quang Pham

Florian Vogt

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Long COVID is a recognized condition that can follow SARS-CoV-2 infection. It has been primarily observed and studied in adults. Evidence on long COVID among children is scarce. We aimed to estimate its prevalence and symptom profile among schoolchildren, and its effects on studying, daily activities, and quality of life.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey among caregivers of 2226 schoolchildren aged 12-17 in Thai Nguyen, Vietnam, from 11 April to 16 May 2023 using WHO definitions and a validated quality of life questionnaire.

Results: Among 1507 children with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection ≥ 5 months prior, 85 (5.6%) had long COVID. Memory loss (85.9%), poor concentration capacity (58.8%), and fatigue (57.6%) were their most common symptoms. They reported more frequent interference with their studies, observed differences in school absence rates, reduced daily activities, worsened overall health status, and relatively higher utilization of health services compared with children who only suffered from acute COVID-19 symptoms after infection.

Conclusions: Given the near-ubiquitous exposure to SARS-CoV-2 among children at this stage of the pandemic, our findings contribute invaluable evidence of an emerging public health burden among the pediatric population in Vietnam and globally. Concerted public health measures are needed to reduce long-term impacts on health, education, and wellbeing.

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