NIH begins long-term study of children with COVID-19

Researchers have begun a long-term study of the impacts of COVID-19 on children, the NIH announced.

The study, which is being supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), enrolled its first participant at the NIH’s Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, the NIH said.

Researchers intend to track up to 1,000 children and young adults who previously tested positive for COVID-19 and evaluate its physical and mental effect on the patients for the next 3 years.

“Although we know that children are vulnerable to COVID-19, we still do not have a clear picture of how COVID-19 affects them in the long term,” NIAID Director Anthony S. Fauci, MD, said in a news release.

“In adult patients, the long-term sequelae of COVID, including post-acute COVID-19, can significantly affect quality of life,” Fauci said. “Our investigations into the pediatric population will deepen our understanding of the public health impact that the pandemic has had and will continue to have in the months and years to come.”

Participants in the study will range in age from 3 to 21 years. In addition to risk factors, the study will evaluate the long-term immune responses to the disease and genetic factors that could affect infection response. Members of their households without a history of COVID-19 infection will be asked to enroll in the study as a control cohort.

For observation, participants who enroll less than 12 weeks following infection or positive COVID-19 test will engage in follow-up appointments at clinics at 3 and 6 months, and then every 6 months for a total of 3 years. Any participants who enroll more than 12 weeks after a positive COVID-19 test will have clinic visits scheduled every 6 months for 3 years.

Researchers will document further infections in both groups. They anticipate that the study will take approximately 6 years to complete, the NIH said.

The NIH did not mention whether it would be taking COVID-19 vaccination into account.

Reference:

ClinicalTrials.gov. Pediatric COVID-19 and MIS-C long-term follow-up. Published April 5, 2021. Accessed Nov. 16, 2021.