Long-term outcomes of COVID-19 infection in children and young people: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Helen Twohig, , Ram Bajpai, , Nadia Corp, , Alice Faux-Nightingale, , Christian Mallen, , Toni Robinson, , Glenys Somayajula, , Danielle Van der Windt, , Victoria Welsh, , Claire Burton
Background Children and young people (CYP) may experience prolonged symptoms following COVID-19, commonly termed ‘Long-COVID’. The nature of this in CYP is unclear, as are the sequalae of acute COVID-19. We aimed to systematically synthesise evidence of the long-term outcomes of COVID-19 in CYP. Methods 13 databases were searched until January 2022. Inclusion criteria: Observational studies reporting outcomes occurring four-weeks or more after COVID-19 in children <18 years old. Exclusion criteria: Outcomes of Paediatric Inflammatory Multisystem Syndrome. Title, abstract and full text screening were conducted independently by two reviewers. Data extraction and risk of bias assessment was by one reviewer with independent verification. Critical appraisal tools appropriate for study type were employed. Results were narratively synthesised with meta-analysis to generate summary estimates of risk of prolonged symptoms in CYP.