Diagnosis and management of post-COVID (Long COVID) in children: a moving target

This review describes recent findings about post-COVID condition (PCC, or Long COVID) in children, including current knowledge about its epidemiology, clinical presentation, pathogenesis and care. RECENT FINDINGS: There is no internationally agreed definition of PCC, although now most researchers agree that it is a complex clinical symptomatology persisting for at least 3 months after COVID-19, without an alternative diagnosis. There are several uncertainties about paediatric PCC. So far, available literature suggest that 1–3% of recognized children with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome COronaVirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection may develop PCC. Its pathogenesis is unknown, although there is increasing evidence about possible abnormalities in the immune responses, cellular metabolism and intestinal microbiota, along with chronic endothelitis. SUMMARY: Management of PCC in children is complex and require a multidisciplinary approach, with the goal of offering the best care possible to support diagnostics, research, mental health and access to research projects.