Long-Term Complications of Infectious Diseases in Children: Immune, Neurological, and Metabolic Aspects. Literature Review

Infectious diseases in children, despite the successes of vaccination programs, continue to pose a significant problem for global public health, leading to the development of serious long-term consequences. This article reviews the general mechanisms behind such complications, including immune dysregulation, neurocognitive and mental disorders, metabolic and endocrine disturbances. It also provides a detailed analysis of the long-term sequelae of measles, polio, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2). Special attention is paid to the phenomena of immunological amnesia, molecular mimicry, and chronic inflammation as key links in the pathogenesis. The significant disparities in infection rates and outcomes between countries with different income levels are highlighted, along with the socioeconomic factors that exacerbate the situation in resource-limited regions. The article reviews modern approaches to mitigating the chronic consequences of past infections, including expanding vaccination coverage, early diagnosis, telemedicine technologies, and comprehensive rehabilitation measures. Promising research directions are identified, such as the development of predictive biomarkers and the integration of international efforts to address existing global inequities in pediatric healthcare. The authors emphasize the need to shift from simply preventing acute infections to forming a systemic approach aimed at preserving children's health in the long term. It is underscored that insufficient attention to the long-term complications of infectious diseases in children significantly increases the medical, social, and economic costs to society. Evidence is also presented that adequate preventive and therapeutic measures can substantially reduce the risk of chronic complications and improve the quality of life for patients who suffered from infectious diseases in early childhood.