Exploring Long COVID in Taiwanese Children: Immunological Insights and Clinical Impacts
Author(s)
Chen-Yu Li, PHD1, Pang-Yen Chen, PHD2, Chien-Wei Chen, PHD3, I-Jen Wang, PHD4.
1Finance, National Taichung University of Science and Technolohy, Taichung, Taiwan, 2Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan, 3College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan, 4Department of Pediatrics, Taipei Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, New Taipei City, Taiwan.
1Finance, National Taichung University of Science and Technolohy, Taichung, Taiwan, 2Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan, 3College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan, 4Department of Pediatrics, Taipei Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, New Taipei City, Taiwan.
OBJECTIVES: Long COVID, characterized by ongoing symptoms beyond the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection, has emerged as a global health challenge. Studies estimate 10-30% of survivors suffer lingering symptoms, with prevalence varying by age and demographics. Research highlights immune dysregulation, including elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines and altered T-cell activity, as key mechanisms. Despite advancements, most studies focus on adults in Western countries, leaving gaps in understanding long COVID among Asian populations and children. This study aims to address these gaps by analyzing the characteristics of long COVID in Taiwanese children.
METHODS: Conducted in Taipei from January 2022 to December 2023, the study enrolled 395 participants aged 5-18 years diagnosed with COVID-19 via RT-PCR tests. The long COVID group (256 participants) reported symptoms for over six months post-recovery, while the comparison group (139 participants) experienced no persistent symptoms.
RESULTS: Findings reveal significant impacts of long COVID on younger populations, with associations found in age (average 8.18 years), BMI (average 19.59), and pre-existing conditions like nasal allergies (69.9%), asthma (47.6%), and migraines (4.9%). Complications include allergic rhinitis (33.2%), acute pansinusitis (5.1%), and atopic dermatitis (17.2%).
CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests unique immunological and allergic profiles may shape long COVID manifestations in Taiwanese young children, offering potential therapeutic targets and tailored management strategies for Asian communities.
METHODS: Conducted in Taipei from January 2022 to December 2023, the study enrolled 395 participants aged 5-18 years diagnosed with COVID-19 via RT-PCR tests. The long COVID group (256 participants) reported symptoms for over six months post-recovery, while the comparison group (139 participants) experienced no persistent symptoms.
RESULTS: Findings reveal significant impacts of long COVID on younger populations, with associations found in age (average 8.18 years), BMI (average 19.59), and pre-existing conditions like nasal allergies (69.9%), asthma (47.6%), and migraines (4.9%). Complications include allergic rhinitis (33.2%), acute pansinusitis (5.1%), and atopic dermatitis (17.2%).
CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests unique immunological and allergic profiles may shape long COVID manifestations in Taiwanese young children, offering potential therapeutic targets and tailored management strategies for Asian communities.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-09, ISPOR Real-World Evidence Summit 2025, Tokyo, Japan
Value in Health Regional, Volume 49S (September 2025)
Code
RWD307
Topic Subcategory
Reproducibility & Replicability
Disease
SDC: Infectious Disease (non-vaccine)