Persistent symptoms after 1 year in hospitalized children with acute COVID-19 compared to other conditions

Abstract Purpose We evaluated the prevalence and characteristics of persistent signs and/or symptoms in children and young people (CYP) one year after hospitalization for acute COVID-19 compared with a control group of CYP hospitalized for other conditions. Methods We conducted an observational study in three hospitals in Madrid. We included a group of children who aged 1 month to 18 years of age who were hospitalized for acute COVID-19 from March 2020 to December 2021. We selected a group of patients for comparison among hospitalized patients the same month as the participants with COVID-19, for different reasons, with no history of COVID-19 at recruitment or during follow-up. Data were collected from clinical records and a standardized questionnaire answered by families. The primary outcome was the presence of persistent symptoms one year after hospitalization. Results Ninety-six patients were enrolled and analyzed (50 acute COVID-19 patients and 46 non-COVID-19 participants). The definition of persistent symptoms was met in 34/96 (35%) CYP: 17/50 (34%) COVID-19 participants and 17/46 (37%) non-COVID-19 participants (p=0.767). Symptoms persisted ³12 months in 14/50 (28%) COVID-19 participants and in 7/46 (15%) non-COVID-19 participants (p=0.140). Both groups rated similarly before and after admission on all the specific items related to emotional welfare, social relationships, and current activities. Readmissions occurred in 11/50 (22%) COVID-19 participants and in 6/46 (13%) non-COVID-19 participants (p=0.267). Conclusion: This study found a non-significant difference in the prevalence of persistent symptoms 1 year after hospitalization between children and young people (CYP) with acute COVID-19 and those hospitalized for other reasons.