Characteristics and predictors of persistent symptoms post COVID-19 in children and young people: a large community cross-sectional study in England

Atchison, C; Whitaker, M; Donnelly, CA; Chadeau-Hyam, M; Riley, S; Darzi, A; Ashby, D; Barclay, WS; Cooke, GS; Elliott, P; Ward, H

Journal article

Characteristics and predictors of persistent symptoms post COVID-19 in children and young people: a large community cross-sectional study in England

Abstract:: Objective: To estimate the prevalence of, and associated risk factors for, persistent symptoms post COVID-19 among children aged 5-17 years in England.

Design: Serial cross-sectional study.

Setting: Rounds 10-19 (March 2021 to March 2022) of the REACT-1 study (monthly cross-sectional surveys of random samples of the population in England).

Study population: Children aged 5-17 years in the community.

Predictors: Age, sex, ethnicity, presence of a pre-existing health condition, index of multiple deprivation, COVID-19 vaccination status, and dominant UK circulating SARS-CoV-2 variant at time of symptom onset.

Main outcome measures: Prevalence of persistent symptoms, reported as those lasting c; months post-COVID-19.

Results: Overall, 4.4% (95% CI 3.7-5.1) of 3,173 5-11 year-olds and 13.3% (95% CI 12.5-14.1) of 6,886 12-17 year-olds with prior symptomatic infection reported at least one symptom lasting c; months post-COVID-19, of whom 13.5% (95% CI 8.4-20.9) and 10.9% (95% CI 9.0-13.2), respectively, reported their ability to carry out day-to-day activities was reduced “a lot” due to their symptoms. The most common symptoms among participants with persistent symptoms were persistent coughing (27.4%) and headaches (25.4%) in children aged 5-11 years and loss or change of sense of smell (52.2%) and taste (40.7%) in participants aged 12-17 years. Higher age and having a pre-existing health condition were associated with higher odds of reporting persistent symptoms.

Conclusions: One in twenty-three 5-11 year-olds and one in eight 12-17 year-olds post-COVID-19 report persistent symptoms lasting c; months, of which one in nine report a large impact on performing day-to-day activities.

Publication status:: Published

Peer review status:: Peer reviewed

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APA Style

Atchison, C., Whitaker, M., Donnelly, C. A., Chadeau-Hyam, M., Riley, S., Darzi, A., Ashby, D., Barclay, W. S., Cooke, G. S., Elliott, P., & Ward, H. (2023). Characteristics and predictors of persistent symptoms post COVID-19 in children and young people: a large community cross-sectional study in England. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 108(7).

MLA Style

Atchison, C., et al. “Characteristics and Predictors of Persistent Symptoms Post COVID-19 in Children and Young People: a Large Community Cross-Sectional Study in England.” Archives of Disease in Childhood, vol. 108, no. 7, BMJ Publishing Group, 2023.

Chicago Style

Atchison, C, M Whitaker, CA Donnelly, M Chadeau-Hyam, S Riley, A Darzi, D Ashby, et al. 2023. “Characteristics and Predictors of Persistent Symptoms Post COVID-19 in Children and Young People: a Large Community Cross-Sectional Study in England.” Archives of Disease in Childhood 108 (7).
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