Infants prone to sleep, appetite issues in long Covid; preschoolers to dry cough: US study
New Delhi: Infants under two-years-old, suffering from long Covid are more likely to experience trouble sleeping, fussiness, poor appetite, stuffy nose, and cough, while children aged three to five are more likely to have a dry cough and tiredness, according to a new study in the US.
"Children with these symptoms often had worse overall health, lower quality of life, and delays in development," co-first author Tanayott Thaweethai, associate director of biostatistics research and engagement at Massachusetts General Hospital, US, said.
Long Covid refers to symptoms that persist well beyond having recovered from an acute COVID-19 infection.
The findings, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Pediatrics, are the latest from the US National Institutes of Health's 'RECOVER' initiative, aimed at understanding and preventing long Covid.
An earlier analysis by the team in August 2024, found that children aged six to 11 displayed brain- and stomach-related symptoms such as headache, trouble focussing and sleeping, while teenagers experienced a loss of smell and taste, fatigue and physical pain.
Notably, teens were found to display long Covid symptoms more similar to adults -- who often report brain fog and fatigue -- than to children.
This study is "important because it shows that long COVID symptoms in young children are different from those in older children and adults," Thaweethai said.
"Infants (or) toddlers (0-2 years) with infection history were more likely to experience trouble sleeping, fussiness, poor appetite, stuffy nose, and cough, and preschool-aged children (3-5 years) were more likely to experience dry cough and daytime tiredness (or) sleepiness or low energy," the authors wrote.
The researchers examined 472 infants and 539 preschoolers, of which 278 infants and 399 pre-schoolers had previously suffered from COVID-19. The participants were enrolled between March 2022 and July 2024.
Among those with a history of infection, 40 infants (14 per cent) and 61 pre-school children (15 per cent) were identified as having long Covid. Symptoms lasting at least 90 days after COVID infection for both age groups were analysed -- 41 symptoms in the infant group and 75 in preschoolers.
Parts of India, including Delhi-NCR, West Bengal and Karnataka, are seeing an uptick in COVID-19 cases, which have been attributed to Omicron sub-variants.
Severity of infections as of now is generally mild and there is no cause for worry, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) had said on May 26.>
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
42 minutes ago
- Time of India
DC orders health centres to ensure essential medicines are in stock in Mandya
Mandya: Deputy commissioner Kumara has directed the heads of primary health centres (PHCs) and community health centres (CHCs) across the district to ensure the uninterrupted availability of essential medicines, including injections, to treat snakebite and dog bite cases. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now During a review meeting at the DC's office, Kumara highlighted the recent tragic death of a girl who was en route Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences (MIMS) for treatment following a dog bite. He stated that the incident could have been avoided if timely medical care was provided at Maddur taluk hospital. Emphasising the importance of preparedness, Kumara said that life-saving medicines must be readily available at all health centres. To enforce this, nodal officers are appointed in every taluk. These officers are tasked with conducting regular inspections of health facilities under their jurisdiction and submitting detailed reports. "Doctors now have access to real-time stock information through mobile apps. We must utilise technology effectively," Kumara said, urging medical staff to work with compassion and prioritise human life. With the onset of monsoon, Kumara also warned of an increased risk of vector-borne diseases such as dengue, malaria, and chikungunya, and called for intensified awareness campaigns, especially at construction sites where stagnant water is common. The district reported one positive Covid case. The patient is currently under home isolation. SARI cases are also being tested at MIMS, and Kumara instructed that similar tests be extended to SARI patients in private hospitals. Kumara also reviewed progress under the district's Non-Communicable Disease screening programmes, which focus on early detection of diabetes, hypertension, and cancer. He stressed the need for follow-up data to ensure that identified patients are receiving proper treatment. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now More outreach programmes are to be organised in high-risk areas. Noting a rise in heart attack-related deaths in the district, Kumara instructed health officials to conduct age-wise surveys and submit detailed reports. He also called for data on the number of patients being screened under the heart disease control programme and those referred for specialist care. Universal Immunisation Programme and maternal mortality reports were also reviewed. District panchayat deputy secretary-2 T Lakshmi, district health and family welfare officer Dr K Mohan, RCH officer Dr KP Ashwath, district survey officer Dr Kumar, leprosy eradication officer Dr Somashekhar, and district AIDS control officer Dr MN Ashalatha were also present.
Time of India
42 minutes ago
- Time of India
Govt plans survey of orphaned children, single-parent kids in state
Bhubaneswar: State govt has announced plans to conduct a comprehensive survey of orphaned children and those with single parents. District collectors have been instructed to coordinate with relevant departments to conduct the survey through anganwadi workers. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The primary objective is to identify vulnerable children and integrate them into a unified protective network. The initiative aims to ensure these children can access various govt welfare schemes and receive necessary support. "This is to request you to conduct a survey of orphans and children of single parents in your respective districts and their households in the enclosed formats through anganwadi workers. District social welfare officer (DSWO), Integrated Child Development Service (ICDS), and child development project officers under your control may be entrusted to supervise the survey exercise," read the letter from the women and child development department to collectors. It said a survey cell should be set up at the district level. The department said consolidated information regarding the survey outcome should be submitted by Sept 4. Govt sources said there will be training of anganwadi workers on how to fill up the forms and elicit information. The previous govt conducted a survey of orphans five years ago, with the numbers around 2.5 lakh. This is the second time the survey is being done to include their details like conditions in which they are living, orphanage or any other place. "After 2020, their number may have increased significantly as many children were orphaned because of the Covid-19 pandemic. There could be more children of single parents as in many cases either the mother or father died. In many families, both died," said a govt officer.
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Ernakulam Public Health Committee moots measures to tackle monsoon-related diseases
The Ernakulam Public Health Committee has recommended stringent action as per the provisions of the Kerala Public Health Act in connection with the control measures initiated against the spread of infectious diseases with the onset of the southwest monsoon. A review of the situation pointed out the possibility of a spike in Hepatitis A and dengue cases. The authorities have asked enforcement agencies and local bodies to take action against those responsible for the distribution of contaminated drinking water in tankers. Transporters should possess the required licences/permits from the Department of Food Safety and other related departments. The committee stressed the need to create awareness among the public to keep their premises clean and avoid situation that may result in an increase in infectious diseases. People living in flood-hit regions and involved in relief and clean-up operations should take doxycycline tablets as a preventive measure based on health workers' advice. Those working in waterlogged areas should also take the medicine, besides taking proper safety measures to avoid infection, according to the health authorities. With the increase in COVID-19 cases, the public can adopt preventive measures including wearing masks and avoiding interaction with others after developing symptoms. Local bodies have also been told to ensure that water sources, including wells in apartment complexes and houses, are chlorinated at regular intervals. Forest department officials said that the school authorities in the district may download the SARPA mobile app to get the contact details of volunteers who have been trained in snake rescue operations. The suggestion was made considering the possibility of snakes entering campuses in the rainy season.
