American Academy of Pediatrics: Resources on Long COVID in Children

At the follow-up visit after infection, pediatricians should take note of ongoing or residual issues that can include:

Respiratory: Because the lungs are the most commonly affected organ for patients with COVID-19 infection, persistent respiratory symptoms following acute COVID-19 are not uncommon. The symptoms include chest pain, cough, and exercise-induced labored breathing.
Cardiac: One of the most concerning aspects of COVID-19 infection is the risk for heart problems, including myocarditis. Symptoms of myocarditis can include chest pain and shortness of breath, as well as arrhythmias and fatigue.
Cognitive fogginess or fatigue: “Brain fog” (a generic term that refers to unclear or “fuzzy” thinking, inattention, difficulty with concentration or memory) is a frequent neurologic complaint in adults after COVID-19 infection. School aged-children and adolescents may have similar complaints.
Physical fatigue/poor endurance: Children and adolescents may complain of fatigue and poor endurance even without known cardiac and respiratory symptoms. Assuming both cardiac and respiratory function are clinically normal, post-viral fatigue typically improves over time.
Mental health/behavioral health: Pediatricians should be aware of the impact of stress and adjustment disorders when diagnosing and managing new symptoms in children who have experienced COVID-19.

Dr. Peter Rowe, Professor of Pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Director of the Chronic Fatigue Clinic at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, also wrote an overview of Long COVID in Children and Teens for the AAP Parenting Website, Healthy Children: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/COVID-19/Pages/Long-Haul-COVID-19-in-Children-and-Teens.aspx