Diagnosis and management of post-COVID (Long COVID) in children: a moving target

Purpose of review This review describes recent findings about post-COVID condition (PCC, or Long COVID) in children, including current knowledge about its epidemiology, clinical presentation, pathogenesis and care. Recent findings There is no internationally agreed definition of PCC, although now most researchers agree that it is a complex clinical symptomatology persisting for at least 3 months after COVID-19, without an alternative diagnosis. There are several uncertainties about paediatric PCC. So far, available literature suggest that 1–3% of recognized children with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome COronaVirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection may develop PCC. Its pathogenesis is unknown, although there is increasing evidence about possible abnormalities in the immune responses, cellular metabolism and intestinal microbiota, along with chronic endothelitis. Summary Management of PCC in children is complex and require a multidisciplinary approach, with the goal of offering the best care possible to support diagnostics, research, mental health and access to research projects.

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