Follow-up of children with Long COVID

<bold>Background:</bold> This study aimed to assess long-term clinical outcomes in children with COVID-19. <bold>Method:</bold> All children presenting to the pediatric pulmonology clinic between March 2020 and July 2022 with confirmed COVID-19 were included the study. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were retrospectively recorded. Short and long-term outcomes were compared. <bold>Results:</bold> 151 patients were analyzed. Median age was 108 (60-159) months, with 52.3% females. 81.5% had underlying disease. Fever, cough, weakness, sore throat, and shortness of breath were common during COVID-19. 28 patients required hospitalization, with 9 in pediatric intensive care and 23 needing oxygen. 22 hospitalized patients had underlying disease. MISC occurred in 4 patients, with no fatalities. Long COVID symptoms were reported by 48 patients, notably cough (56.3%), shortness of breath (45.8%), sputum (29.2%), chest pain (27.1%) and effort limitation (27.1%). 34 patients underwent PFTs, median FEV1 was 103% (94,5-113), FVC 101% (87,5-110) FEV1/FVC 106% (101,5-110,5). Children without underlying disease showed more Long COVID presentations (p=0.022). In patients with Long COVID, those with fewer than 5 symptoms during the acute COVID-19 phase compared to individuals with 5 or more symptoms exhibited a higher frequency of shortness of breath, exertional limitation and chest pain (p<0.05). <bold>Conclusion:</bold> Despite mild acute symptoms, severe clinical conditions can manifest in pediatric COVID-19 cases. It was thought that children with chronic diseases had fewer Long COVID complaints may have associated the symptoms they experienced with their own chronic disease. Approximately one-third of patients remained symptomatic, necessitating monitoring for Long COVID.