Research Article: Evaluation of a pediatric post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 index score
Abstract:
This study aims to assess the performance of the Researching COVID-19 to Enhance Recovery (RECOVER) initiative's proposed post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) index in a cohort of children evaluated for SARS-CoV-2 infection, 6–12 months after exposure.
We conducted a multicenter, prospective cohort study with 6- and 12-month follow-up in 14 Canadian tertiary-care pediatric emergency departments (EDs) in the Pediatric Emergency Research Canada network. Eligible children were 6 to <18 years of age who were tested for acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. We assessed the score validity and reliability and evaluated the associations between PASC index scores dichotomized using threshold values (?5.5 for ages 6 to <12 years and ?5.0 for ages 12 to <18 years) and SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Participants included 785 children, with a median age of 9 years (IQR: 7–13), enrolled between August 2020 and February 2022. Factor analysis identified characteristics that accounted for 32%–40% of variance. Strong correlations were identified between PASC index scores and PedsQL™ and overall health status; Cronbach's ? ranged from 0.49 to 0.67. Changes in PASC index scores across time points accounted for 71% (6 to <12 years) and 63% (12 to <18 years) of total variance. The proportion of children exceeding PASC index score thresholds did not differ between children positive and negative for SARS-CoV-2 test in the 6 to <12 (25% vs. 22%; aOR: 1.2; 95% CI: 0.6, 2.5) and 12 to <18 (18% vs. 10%; aOR: 2.2; 95% CI: 0.5, 10.4) age groups at 6 months. Similar results were reported at 12 months.
While scores correlated with quality of life and overall health, internal reliability was low to acceptable. The PASC index was not associated with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Introduction:
Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC), or long COVID, remain a critical public health challenge in children and adolescents ( 1 ). Multiple definitions exist, most describing symptoms or signs that persist, relapse, or emerge after SARS-CoV-2 infection without alternative explanations ( 2 – 4 ). PASC is particularly challenging to diagnose in children as the presentation differs across age groups and can present with symptoms such as headache ( 5 ) and abdominal pain ( 6 ), which are commonly seen in otherwise…
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