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Last Updated:December 03, 2024, 10:48 IST
Children experience weakened immunity and bacterial infections after suffering from long Covid-19 syndrome, a study published in the medical journal Nature has revealed.
Persistent fatigue was the most common symptom in children with long Covid syndrome, while the majority of children often complained about anxiety.
The study conducted in Budapest, Hungary, investigated children affected by long Covid. The researchers found significant differences in their immune function, which they believe were caused by the Covid-19 infection.
“Neutrophil dysfunction in children with Long Covid syndrome (LCS) may be part of the disease pathogenesis or a predisposing factor,” concluded the authors of the study published on November 27.
The researchers focused on a type of white blood cell called neutrophils, which plays a crucial role in combating infections, particularly bacterial ones. They discovered that children with long Covid had neutrophils that were functionally impaired.
“For instance, their ability to attack and swallow harmful bacteria such as Staphylococcus was impaired. This might correlate with the rise of multiple bacterial infections that were reported in Western nations among children after the onset of the pandemic,” explained Rajeev Jayadevan, chairman, research cell, at the Indian Medical Association’s Kerala wing.
“After an expected drop following lockdowns, Group A streptococcal infection among younger children had surged in 2022, some of which turned severe. Whether this immune dysfunction accompanying long Covid was responsible for these additional infections is unclear.”
What does the study say?
To enhance the accuracy, the authors included both healthy children and those who had recovered without complications from Covid-19. Among the children with long Covid, seven of 10 experienced fatigue, while half had a loss of interest and difficulty concentrating. There was no difference in long Covid symptoms between vaccinated and unvaccinated children.
Long Covid Syndrome (LCS) children experienced significantly more symptoms, impairing their quality of life and functioning compared to CG+ group or convalescent children who have recovered from something like a febrile illness.
“Neutrophilic granulocyte dysfunction was found in LCS children, with decreased superoxide-producing activity and phagocytosis compared to CG+. The number of children with LCS complaints correlated significantly with altered neutrophil effector functions,” said the study titled ‘Long COVID syndrome in children: neutrophilic granulocyte dysfunction and its correlation with disease severity’.
Neutrophilic granulocyte dysfunction is a problem with a specific type of white blood cells called neutrophils, which are important for fighting infections. These neutrophils are called granulocytes because they contain granules that help them destroy pathogens.
The neutrophils in children with LCS produce less of a molecule called superoxide, which is a chemical used by neutrophils to kill bacteria and other pathogens. Hence, it means that these neutrophils are less effective at destroying and cracking down on harmful invaders like bacteria.
When compared to the CG+ control group who did not have long Covid, their neutrophils did not show these problems.
The number of children with LCS complaints correlated significantly with altered neutrophil effector functions, which means that the severity or presence of symptoms in children with long Covid was closely related to the dysfunction of these neutrophil activities (superoxide production and phagocytosis). In other words, the more severe the symptoms of long Covid, the more likely there was an issue with the neutrophils’ ability to perform these critical immune functions.
However, in India, experts said they are not encountering many such cases in their clinical practice.
“We are not encountering such cases in large numbers. It likely reflects the low prevalence or a shift in disease dynamics,” said Dr Maninder Dhaliwal, an expert in paediatric pulmonology at NCR-based Amrita Hospital.
“Another side to the story is that symptoms attributed to long Covid (e.g. fatigue, concentration issues) may overlap with common paediatric conditions like stress, anaemia, or viral syndromes, leading to maybe underreporting.”
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However, doctors pointed out that this study doesn’t translate to actionable diagnostic tools, therapeutic strategies, or preventive measures, but seems currently to serve more as academic knowledge.
“However, for children presenting with lingering fatigue, brain fog, or other long Covid symptoms, this knowledge may prompt closer monitoring or referral to the right specialists (e.g., immunology, neurology),” Dhaliwal added.
News india Long Covid-19 Weakens Immunity In Children, Increases Risk Of Infections: Study
