Quality of life in pediatric patients after COVID-19

Objective. To assess the quality of life in pediatric patients after COVID-19. Material and methods. An observational multiple-center retrospective-prospective study included data on 107 pediatric quality of life questionnaires (QUALIN and PedsQL 4.0) and 80 pediatrician questionnaires. Statistical analysis of primary data was performed using Pandas (data preparation and processing), NumPy, SciPy, Matplotlib (statistical computing), and Seaborn (results visualization). Results. QoL scores decline after discharge in the following areas: behavior and communication (by 23.2%), ability to be alone (by 32.0%), and neuropsychic development and physical health (by 18.8%). Notably, physical functioning scores in children decreased by 20% in 2 years after discharge. The incidence of doctor visits after COVID-19 increased in cohorts of children under 1 year, 1—3 years, and 3—7 years. Consolidated QoL scores of parents showed steady increase over the study period that was generally consistent with data of QUALIN and PedsQL 4.0 questionnaires. QoL in patients with high adherence to treatment in post-hospital period was higher (p=0.0256) at the final stages of follow-up than in children who did not take the prescribed medications at discharge. Conclusion. There is decline in QoL in children in post-hospital treatment of COVID-19. The effeciveness of QoL recovery is associated with adherence to treatment after discharge.