A new study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that over 1 million children in the US were affected by long COVID in 2023. Researchers analyzed data from the National Health Interview Survey, finding that approximately 1.01 million children, or 1.4%, experienced long COVID at some point.
The study also found that lower-income households and families with limited education had a higher prevalence of long COVID. Children between ages 12 and 17 were most likely to experience long COVID, as well as Hispanic and non-Hispanic white children compared to other racial groups.
The study highlights the severity of long COVID in children, with 80% reporting some level of activity limitation. The authors note that under-reporting may be a factor in younger children due to difficulty verbalizing symptoms.
While the exact cause of long COVID is still unknown, research suggests that underlying conditions and low cortisol levels may play a role. Vaccination status also affects risk of developing long COVID, with unvaccinated individuals at higher risk.
As scientists continue to investigate long COVID, this study emphasizes the need for further examination of its impact on children’s health and functioning.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/long-covid-impacting-1-million-children-cdc-study/story?id=118393880