Long-term central nervous system (CNS) consequences of COVID-19 in children
Long-term central nervous system (CNS) consequences of COVID-19 in children
Introduction: neurological/neuropsychiatric symptoms are commonly reported by children/young people with long COVID, especially headache, fatigue, cognitive deficits, anosmia and ageusia, dizziness, mood symptoms, and sleep problems. However, reported prevalence estimates are highly variable due to study heterogeneity and often small sample size; most studies only considered short-term follow-ups; and, apart from mood and sleep problems, neuropsychiatric conditions have received less attention. Considering the potential debilitating effects of neurological/neuropsychiatric conditions, a comprehensive review of the topic is timely, and needed to support clinical recognition as well as to set the direction for future research.
Areas covered: the authors discuss neurological/neuropsychiatric manifestations of long COVID in pediatric populations, with a focus on prevalence, associated demographic characteristics, and potential pathogenetic mechanisms.
Expert opinion: children/young people may develop persistent neurological/neuropsychiatric symptoms following acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, which may affect daily functioning and well-being. Studies in larger samples with longer follow-ups are needed to clarify prevalence and symptom duration; as well as less investigated risk factors, including genetic predisposition, ethnicity, and comorbidities. Controlled studies may help separate infection-related direct effects from pandemic-related psychosocial stressors. Clarifying pathogenetic mechanisms is paramount to develop more targeted and effective treatments; whilst screening programs and psychoeducation may enhance early recognition.
Child, Humans, Adolescent, COVID-19/epidemiology, Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome, SARS-CoV-2, Central Nervous System, Sleep Wake Disorders
703-720
Howe de la Torre, Saskia
0bcc2413-b55a-4d9a-bece-e6a90ce914a4
Parlatini, Valeria
6cdfb200-40ce-43ce-84da-dcb6eba0f67a
Cortese, Samuele
53d4bf2c-4e0e-4c77-9385-218350560fdb
7 August 2023
Howe de la Torre, Saskia
0bcc2413-b55a-4d9a-bece-e6a90ce914a4
Parlatini, Valeria
6cdfb200-40ce-43ce-84da-dcb6eba0f67a
Cortese, Samuele
53d4bf2c-4e0e-4c77-9385-218350560fdb
Howe de la Torre, Saskia, Parlatini, Valeria and Cortese, Samuele
(2023)
Long-term central nervous system (CNS) consequences of COVID-19 in children.
Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics, 23 (8), .
(doi:10.1080/14737175.2023.2239500).
Abstract
Introduction: neurological/neuropsychiatric symptoms are commonly reported by children/young people with long COVID, especially headache, fatigue, cognitive deficits, anosmia and ageusia, dizziness, mood symptoms, and sleep problems. However, reported prevalence estimates are highly variable due to study heterogeneity and often small sample size; most studies only considered short-term follow-ups; and, apart from mood and sleep problems, neuropsychiatric conditions have received less attention. Considering the potential debilitating effects of neurological/neuropsychiatric conditions, a comprehensive review of the topic is timely, and needed to support clinical recognition as well as to set the direction for future research.
Areas covered: the authors discuss neurological/neuropsychiatric manifestations of long COVID in pediatric populations, with a focus on prevalence, associated demographic characteristics, and potential pathogenetic mechanisms.
Expert opinion: children/young people may develop persistent neurological/neuropsychiatric symptoms following acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, which may affect daily functioning and well-being. Studies in larger samples with longer follow-ups are needed to clarify prevalence and symptom duration; as well as less investigated risk factors, including genetic predisposition, ethnicity, and comorbidities. Controlled studies may help separate infection-related direct effects from pandemic-related psychosocial stressors. Clarifying pathogenetic mechanisms is paramount to develop more targeted and effective treatments; whilst screening programs and psychoeducation may enhance early recognition.
Text
Long-term central nervous system CNS consequences of COVID-19 in children
- Version of Record
More information
Accepted/In Press date: 18 July 2023
Published date: 7 August 2023
Keywords:
Child, Humans, Adolescent, COVID-19/epidemiology, Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome, SARS-CoV-2, Central Nervous System, Sleep Wake Disorders
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 488841
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/488841
ISSN: 1473-7175
PURE UUID: 76689633-cb09-4a0c-b048-7d313aab5245
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Date deposited: 08 Apr 2024 16:41
Last modified: 10 Apr 2024 01:50
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Contributors
Author:
Saskia Howe de la Torre
Author:
Valeria Parlatini
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