HOME / PUBLICATIONS /

Long-term Effects of SARS-CoV-2 Infection on Children's Vasculature

Citation:

Karaviti D, Charakida M, Dimopoulou D, Marmarinos A, Papadaki M, Maritsi D, Spyridis N, Avgeris M, Gourgiotis D, Tsolia M. Long-term Effects of SARS-CoV-2 Infection on Children's Vasculature. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2025;44:792-797.

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: While long coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is linked to prolonged vascular dysfunction in adults, research in children remains poor. In this study, we assessed vascular health in children infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 about 6.8 months postinfection, comparing them with healthy controls. METHODS: Two hundred twenty-three children were assessed and divided into group 1, which included children with a positive disease history and group 2, which consisted of healthy controls. Anthropometric measurements, lipid profile, biomarkers (interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and soluble intracellular adhesion molecule) and long COVID symptoms were assessed, along with pulse wave velocity (PWV) measurements and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) to evaluate aortic stiffness. RESULTS: Children in group 1 were older (mean age: 10.8 +/- 3.2 years vs. 8.5 +/- 2.8 years, P < 0.001) and had higher body mass index (20.3 +/- 5.6 kg/m 2 vs. 18.4 +/- 3.5 kg/m 2 , P < 0.001). PWV was increased in group 1 (5.02 +/- 0.7 m/s vs. 4.7 +/- 0.6, P < 0.001). However, vascular differences between the groups disappeared after adjusting for age, body mass index, and blood pressure. Soluble intracellular adhesion molecule-1 levels were elevated in children with a history of moderate/severe COVID-19 infection compared with controls (555.8 +/- 113.2 ng/mL vs. 428 +/- 42.6 ng/mL, P < 0.001). Cholesterol levels, inflammatory markers and cIMT were comparable between groups. Long COVID symptoms were reported mainly by participants of group 1 [34 (23.6%) vs. 3 (3.8%), P < 0.001]. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates insights into the long-term effects of COVID-19 infection in children. Evidence of endothelial activation without structural arterial changes was found. Persistent inflammation postinfection was absent, yet approximately one-quarter of the participants experienced long COVID symptoms, indicating potential differences in the pathophysiology of postacute COVID-19 infection in childhood.

Notes:

Karaviti, DareilenaCharakida, MariettaDimopoulou, DimitraMarmarinos, AntoniosPapadaki, MariaMaritsi, DespoinaSpyridis, NikosAvgeris, MargaritisGourgiotis, DimitriosTsolia, MariaengEvgenides Foundation/2025/04/28 18:30Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2025 Apr 28;44(8):792-797. doi: 10.1097/INF.0000000000004786.