1/ It's clear: Long COVID is significantly impacting children. A new study from the University of Otago reveals over a fifth of kids and teens suffer persistent symptoms after COVID-19. This isn't just a cough; it's headaches, fatigue, and new anxieties. #LongCovidKids
2/ The study, published in the International Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, surveyed 4200+ children aged 3-20. More than 70% had confirmed COVID-19. A quarter reported more frequent coughs, colds, and stomach aches post-infection. #COVID19 #PublicHealth
3/ Persistent symptoms found in the study include:
Headaches (21.7%)
Fatigue (20.6%)
Stomach pain (14.6%)
New anxiety (13.1%)
These symptoms affect daily activities & school attendance. It's crucial we acknowledge this. #ChildrensHealth #PostCovid
4/ Before widespread COVID-19, 82.6% of children rated their health as "very good" or "excellent." After Omicron waves, this dropped to 66.9%. Kids who had COVID-19 were significantly more likely to rate their health as "acceptable" or "poor." #HealthDisparities
5/ Even previously healthy children are reporting new difficulties, from persistent coughs to concentration issues. While those with existing conditions like asthma or ADHD are at higher risk, many others are also affected. #PediatricCOVID #ChronicIllness
6/ Associate Professor Julie Bennett stresses: "Reducing infections is key to preventing Long COVID." Simple steps like opening windows for better ventilation in classrooms, workplaces, and homes can make a huge difference. #PreventionIsKey #Ventilation
7/ Larisa Hockey from Long COVID Kids New Zealand adds: "There is strong evidence that infection prevention is key to preventing Long COVID. Children deserve every opportunity to grow up healthy and thrive." Let's protect our kids! #ProtectOurKids #ChildhoodIllness
8/ If a child gets COVID, ensure they rest during and after the infection to prevent post-viral complications like Long COVID. Their long-term health depends on it. #RestAndRecovery #LongCovidAwareness
H/T @scott_squires for íposter collection.
H/T @lady_bourg proof reading
1/ A new study on #LongCovid in children shows worrying results. Researchers found a strong link between persistent neuropsychiatric symptoms (like headaches, dizziness, and memory issues) and changes in brain volume, specifically in the temporal and subcortical regions.
2/ The study published in Pediatric Neurology found that children with more severe symptoms during the acute phase of COVID-19 were more likely to have significant brain volume changes months later. This suggests that the initial severity of symptoms can predict long-term effects
3/ Additionally, the research highlights that visual perception is also affected. Children with visual symptoms had lower scores on perceptual skills tests, pointing to potential underlying issues with how the brain processes visual information.
1/ A new Swedish study from the Public Health Agency suggests that for healthy, low-risk seniors and young adults in risk groups, the cost-effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination is low. According to the study, the benefit is limited from a socioeconomic perspective.
@SwedishPM
2/ The study states that the most significant benefits are for seniors in high-risk groups, those with home care, or living in nursing homes. For these groups, the vaccine is even cost-saving for society.
@SwedishPM @Folkhalsomynd @jakobforssmed
3/ But here’s my problem with this analysis. It focuses heavily on direct costs and hospitalizations (QALYs), largely ignoring the significant long-term effects of COVID-19, like Long COVID. This is a massive blind spot!
@dagensnyheter @svtnyheter @SvD @Expressen @DagensMedia
1/ A disturbing study from late 2020 revealed something we should all be paying attention to: virtually all children infected with COVID-19 showed signs of blood vessel damage. #COVID19 #PublicHealth
2/ This was seen even in asymptomatic kids. The study from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found a "high proportion" showed elevated levels of a biomarker tied to blood vessel damage.
3/ Additionally, many children were diagnosed with thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA), which leads to clots in small blood vessels. This is a condition linked to severe COVID in adults.
1/ Long COVID and returning to work: A difficult and frustrating path. Many who got sick on the job are still unemployed, with their workers' compensation claims in limbo. New studies suggest the problem affects more workers than previously thought. #LongCovid #WorkersRights
2/ Around 16 million workers nationwide have been affected by Long COVID. Many face the extra burden of proving they were infected at work to qualify for workers' comp, which covers employees injured or sickened on the job.
3/ Long COVID patients are costly. In CA, Long COVID claims were 5% of all workers' comp claims but accounted for 82% of medical treatment costs. In NY, 18% of claimants were unable to work for over a year. #WorkplaceSafety #PublicHealth
1/ Myths and misinformation about #COVID19 and children have been rampant since the start of the pandemic. It’s time to debunk the dangerous idea that kids are immune to severe illness, long-term health problems, and can't spread the virus. #PublicHealth #BackToSchool
2/ While children are often more resilient than adults, that doesn't mean they're immune to serious health issues from a COVID-19 infection. Emerging data shows risks are growing as reinfections increase, especially in the least-vaccinated age groups. #KidsHealth #Vaccines
3/ We don't know what multiple COVID infections will do to a child’s long-term health. But we do know that recent pediatric studies link infections to a range of issues, including long COVID, kidney and heart problems, and even cognitive impairment. #LongCOVID #COVIDResearch
1/ New research from Rutgers Health highlights the critical need for vigilance when observing #LongCovid symptoms in young children. The study, part of the NIH RECOVER initiative, shows that infants, toddlers, and preschoolers can get long COVID, #COVID19 #Pediatrics
2/ but their symptoms often differ from older children.
Symptoms like fussiness, poor appetite, difficulty sleeping, and coughing were more common in the youngest group, making it easy for clinicians & caregivers to miss the diagnosis. #PublicHealth
3/ Early detection is key for treatment and supportive services.
The COVID pandemic began with a myth that children are spared from its ill effects. Lead investigator Lawrence Kleinman states that we now have a new chronic illness emerging. #ChildrensHealth