New Studies Shed Light on Long-Term Covid-19 Symptoms in Pregnant People and Children
Millions of people continue to experience Covid-19 symptoms long after their initial infections, and two new studies have provided valuable insights into the long-term effects of the virus on pregnant people and children. These studies shed light on a health problem that often goes unnoticed by doctors and the general public.
The first study, presented at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine’s annual meeting, revealed that 1 in 10 pregnant individuals who had contracted Covid-19 developed long-term symptoms. The researchers analyzed data from the National Institutes of Health’s Recover Initiative, which aims to determine the long-term effects of Covid-19 in adults and children. Out of the 1,503 pregnant individuals included in the dataset, 9.3% reported experiencing symptoms for six months or more after their infection. The most common symptom reported was fatigue following light physical or mental activity, with some individuals also experiencing dizziness.
Compared to the general US population, the percentage of pregnant individuals with long Covid is relatively low. Estimates suggest that between 2.5% and 25% of adults develop long Covid, although different studies use varying definitions of what constitutes “long” Covid. The study did not explore the reasons behind these differences, but co-author Dr. Torri Metz, an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Utah Health, speculated that factors such as fewer baseline medical complications and a different immune response could contribute to the lower prevalence of long Covid in pregnant individuals.
Metz explained that a pregnant person’s immune system is typically more tolerant, allowing their body to host and nurture a fetus with different genetics. This increased tolerance may result in a less robust immune response to viral infections, potentially leading to less inflammation and organ damage commonly associated with long Covid.
The study also identified common factors among pregnant individuals who developed long Covid. Those who were obese, had a diagnosis of chronic anxiety or depression, or required supplemental oxygen during their illness had a higher risk of experiencing long-term symptoms. Interestingly, the trimester in which someone contracted Covid-19 did not significantly affect the likelihood of developing long Covid, and vaccination status was not a determining factor. More than half of the individuals with long Covid had been fully vaccinated. However, previous research has shown that vaccination reduces the risk of severe disease, which can increase the likelihood of long Covid.
Socioeconomic factors were found to influence the prevalence of long Covid in pregnant individuals. The study revealed that a significant proportion of patients reported difficulties paying their bills, raising concerns about access to necessary healthcare.
Dr. Amy Edwards, associate medical director of pediatric infection control at UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, emphasized the importance of the study’s findings in identifying individuals at higher risk of developing long Covid. Chronic stress, which is known to impact the immune system, was identified as a contributing factor. Edwards highlighted that doctors should consider long Covid as a potential cause of fatigue in individuals who had Covid-19 during pregnancy and continue to experience fatigue eight weeks after giving birth.
The next crucial step, according to researchers, is to examine the outcomes of infants born to pregnant individuals who developed long Covid. Understanding any potential effects on newborns is essential for providing appropriate care and support.
In addition to the study on pregnant individuals, another recent research published in Pediatrics focused on children with long Covid. The study found that up to 6 million children have experienced long-term symptoms following Covid-19 infection. While most young people eventually recover from long Covid, approximately one-third continue to experience symptoms even a year after their initial infection. Common symptoms among children with long Covid included cough, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and fatigue.
Dr. Edwards emphasized the importance of not underestimating the impact of long Covid on children, as the symptoms may resolve but the long-term consequences are yet to be fully understood. Missing out on formative experiences due to long Covid can have lasting effects on teenagers and their development.
The research also revealed that children who had contracted Covid-19 had a higher risk of developing autoimmune conditions like type 1 diabetes, even if their illness had been mild or asymptomatic. Factors such as housing and food insecurity, as well as disrupted access to healthcare, were identified as exacerbating illness and compromising immune functioning in children with long Covid.
While there has been a decrease in the number of patients seeking care at pediatric long Covid clinics, there are still many young people grappling with the long-term effects of the virus. Dr. Edwards noted that although the waiting lists have shortened, the impact on these individuals’ lives remains significant. The ongoing research and understanding of long Covid in both pregnant individuals and children are crucial for providing appropriate care and support to those affected.
