6238 Assessment of long-term respiratory sequelae of COVID-19 in children aged 6–14 years managed at a tertiary care children’s hospital in Sri Lanka

Objectives A significant number of children were affected by COVID-19.1 Children were less severely affected compared to adults.2 Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C) has added to morbidity and mortality in children.3 Evidence suggests a substantial number of patients presented with persistent symptoms after recovering from the acute illness, described as 'Long Covid' or 'Post Acute Sequalae of Covid-19 (PASC).4 5 A little is known about the specific impact on respiratory health in children. This study was performed to ascertain the prevalence, describe the clinical features of long COVID symptoms (PASC) among children, and ascertain the respiratory impact, including exercise capacity. The study was also intended to ascertain the possible association between the development of PASC and the severity of acute COVID-19. Methods Design: prospective cohort study Setting: Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children, Sri Lanka Study population : 6–14 years Children confirmed with COVID 19 admitted from May 20, 2021, to February 28, 2022 Sample size: 213 Data collection: Patients were reviewed six months following discharge. Clinical assessment, spirometry, and a 6-minute walking test (6MWT) were performed. Results Females: 59%, and males: 41%. The mean age was 10 years. Fever, cough, headache, and nasal congestion were the most common acute symptoms. The majority had mild COVID (78%), 9.5% had moderate, and 12% had MIS-C. Almost all the patients required to have glucocorticoids and intensive care had MISC. 19% of the cohort had long covid symptoms. Most common were exercise intolerance (11%), Fatigue(12%) headache (7%). Cough, Wheezing, DIB with exertion and sleep problems were among the other symptoms. 20% had experienced frequent chest infections after COVID illness. A significant association (p Conclusion Children with MIS-C had a higher chance of getting long covid symptoms compared to those who had mild/moderate COVID. Further studies are needed to assess abnormal spirometry and getting recurrent chest infections following COVID disease. References WHO Coronavirus (COVID-19) Dashboard, accessed on January 16, 2022. Balasubramanian S, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Children: What We Know So Far and What We Do Not Indian. Paediatrics April 2020. Garcia-Salido A, Severe Manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 in Children and Adolescents: From COVID-19 Pneumonia to Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome: A Multicenter Study in Pediatric Intensive Care Units in Sprain. Crit Care November 2020. Pulmono, Brackel C, Pediatric long-term COVID: an overlooked phenomenon? Pediatric August 2021. Toufen Junior C, Pêgo-Fernandes P. COVID-19: long-term respiratory consequences Sao Paulo Med J, August 2021.