Does Your Child Have Long COVID? Researchers Uncover Key Symptoms

By Admin

03 Jun, 2025

Long COVID isn’t just an adult issue it can also affect the youngest among us. While the condition is known for lingering symptoms long after the initial COVID-19 infection, researchers are now uncovering that the way long COVID manifests in infants, toddlers, and preschoolers is significantly different from older age groups. A new study conducted by researchers at Mass General Brigham, in partnership with the NIH-funded RECOVER initiative, sheds light on these important differences and offers crucial insights for parents and healthcare providers.

Understanding Long COVID in Young Children

Long COVID, also known as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), is a condition in which symptoms persist or develop long after the acute phase of COVID-19 has passed. While adults and older children often report fatigue, brain fog, and respiratory issues, the symptoms in infants and young children can be far less obvious and often dismissed as common childhood complaints.

In this latest study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, researchers examined 1,011 young children 472 infants and toddlers under the age of two, and 539 preschool-aged children between three and five years old. These children were enrolled from over 30 health care and community settings across the United States between March 2022 and July 2024. Some had previous COVID-19 infections, while others served as a comparison group without known infection.

Key Findings: Different Age, Different Symptoms

The study uncovered clear differences in how long COVID presents across age groups:

• Infants and Toddlers (under 2 years):
  
  

• Trouble sleeping
  
  

• Fussiness
  
  

• Poor appetite
  
  

• Stuffy nose
  
  

• Persistent cough
  
  

• Preschool-aged Children (3 to 5 years):
  
  

• Dry cough
  
  

• Daytime fatigue or unusual tiredness
  
  

Among children who had previously been infected, approximately 14% of infants/toddlers and 15% of preschoolers met criteria for likely long COVID, showing symptoms that lasted for at least 90 days post-infection.

“This study is important because it shows that long COVID symptoms in young children are different from those in older children and adults,” said Dr. Tanayott (Tony) Thaweethai, co-first author and Associate Director of Biostatistics at Massachusetts General Hospital. “Children with these symptoms often had worse overall health, lower quality of life, and delays in development.”

Methodology and Insights

The study focused on 41 symptoms in infants/toddlers and 75 symptoms in preschool-aged children, all reported by caregivers. Researchers then compared these symptoms between children who had COVID-19 and those who didn’t to identify symptoms that were statistically associated with long COVID.

Dr. Andrea Foulkes, co-senior author and Director of Biostatistics at MGH, emphasized the significance of the findings: “We found a distinguishable pattern for both age groups of young children, including symptoms that are different than what we see in older children and adults. The tools from this study can be used in future studies to better understand long COVID in young children and develop ways to care for them.”

What Parents Should Know

It’s important to note that the study's findings are meant to inform future research not to serve as a clinical diagnosis tool. Because the data relies on caregiver reports, it may be subject to recall bias, and very young children may be unable to articulate their symptoms.

If your child is experiencing any of the symptoms highlighted in the study and has a history of COVID-19, it’s essential to consult a pediatrician or healthcare provider. Early awareness and support can make a significant difference in managing long COVID and improving a child’s overall well-being.

Conclusion

Long COVID in young children is real, and it looks different than in adults. Thanks to research like this, we now have a better understanding of how the condition presents in infants, toddlers, and preschoolers knowledge that can help guide future research and care strategies. As we continue to navigate the aftermath of the pandemic, studies like these remind us of the importance of remaining vigilant, informed, and compassionate especially for our youngest and most vulnerable.

Reference:
“Characterizing Long COVID Symptoms During Early Childhood” by Rachel S. Gross, Tanayott Thaweethai, Amy L. Salisbury, et al., JAMA Pediatrics, May 27, 2025. DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2025.1066

Funding: National Institutes of Health (OT2HL161841, OT2HL161847, OT2HL156812, R01 HL162373)
Disclosures: Snowden served on a Pfizer COVID-19 advisory board; Milner served on a scientific advisory board for Blueprint Medicine.