- Three studies this week highlighted the long-term effects of COVID-19 on children’s brains, kidneys, and cardiovascular systems. The first, a small imaging study in Scientific Reports, showed potential brain alterations in children following “mild” COVID-19. The second study, in JAMA Network Open, evaluated the electronic health records of 1.9 million children and found that those infected with SARS-CoV-2 were more likely to have new-onset chronic kidney disease and worsening kidney function. Finally, a third study in Nature Communications, which also used electronic health records of over 1.3 million participants, found that children infected with SARS-CoV-2 are at higher risk for adverse cardiovascular outcomes including heart failure, cardiomyopathy, cardiac arrest, and thromboembolism.
- A new RECOVER study in Communications Medicine assessed the electronic health records of 6.5 million people and found some notable differences and similarities between Long COVID and myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). There is “substantial overlap” in the health records associated with Long COVID and ME, the authors concluded. Still, heart and lung conditions were more common with Long COVID diagnosis, while other conditions, such as pain and sleep disturbances, were more common with ME diagnosis.
- An NIH study is assessing whether the tracer 11C-PS13 — a molecule injected into the body before an imaging scan — can help identify inflammation in people with neurological Long COVID. The study will enroll 60 people in Bethesda, Maryland, and will include up to five clinic visits over 11-14 weeks. Contact: Tara Turon, tara.turon@nih.gov.
