Factors influencing the occurrence of long COVID syndrome in pediatric patients under 18 years of age treated at Thung Song Hospital, Nakhon Si Thammarat
Keywords:
Long COVID syndrome, Pediatric patients, Risk factors, COVID-19 vaccineAbstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic, which began in late 2019, resulted in a massive number of infections. A subset of patients experiences persistent symptoms following the acute infection phase, defined as long COVID syndrome. These symptoms impact daily life physically and mentally. While reports have emerged in adults, and subsequently in children, studies within the Thai context remain limited.
Objective: To determine the incidence, clinical manifestations, and factors associated with long COVID syndrome in pediatric patients under 18 years of age treated at Thung Song Hospital, Nakhon Si Thammarat province.
Methods: A prospective cohort study involving 334 pediatric patients under 18 years old with confirmed COVID-19 by RT-PCR, who were treated between January 1 and June 30, 2022. The diagnosis of long COVID syndrome utilized the World Health Organization (WHO) definition. Associated factors were analyzed using the Chi-square test, Uni and multivariate logistic regression analysis.
Results: The incidence of long COVID syndrome was 34.7%. The most common symptoms included cough (27.5%), runny nose, nasal congestion, and sneezing (25.9%), and dyspnea (16.2%). Statistically significant influential risk factors were low socioeconomic status (adjusted OR = 4.12, p value 0.008), severe acute illness symptoms (adjusted OR = 5.97, p value 0.01), and hospitalization for more than one day (adjusted OR = 8.99, p value 0.01). Conversely, receiving a complete COVID vaccination regimen was found to reduce the risk (adjusted OR = 0.23, p value 0.005).
Conclusion: Long COVID syndrome had a high incidence in children. The main symptoms were respiratory and psychological. Identified risk factors included the severity of acute illness and low socioeconomic status. Symptom follow-up and the promotion of childhood vaccination were essential to mitigate long-term effects.
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