Caliman-Sturdza et al. (2026)
- Authors: Olga Adriana Caliman-Sturdza, Roxana Gheorghita, Andrei Lobiuc, Roxana Filip, Iuliana Soldanescu, Serghei Mangul, Mihai Dimian
- Institutes: Faculty of Medicine and Biological Sciences, Stefan cel Mare University of Suceava, Suceava, Romania, Suceava Emergency Clinical County Hospital, Suceava, Romania, Integrated Center for Research, Development, and Innovation for Advanced Materials, Nanotechnologies, Manufacturing and Control Distributed Systems (MANSiD), Stefan cel Mare University of Suceava, Suceava, Romania, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, USC Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Publisher: Annals of Medicine
- Link: DOI
Summary
This comprehensive review highlights that pediatric Long COVID is a multisystem condition requiring individualized, interdisciplinary care. While many children improve over time, a significant subset experiences long-term disability, emphasizing the urgent need for standardized diagnostic tools and evidence-based treatments. The study bridges the gap between clinical observation and management by synthesizing current therapeutic strategies and identifying critical research needs for this vulnerable population.
What was researched?
The study investigated the characteristic manifestations, diagnostic challenges, and current therapeutic management of Long COVID (L-C19) specifically in children and adolescents.
Why was it researched?
Long COVID has emerged as a complex multisystem condition that can follow even mild or asymptomatic infections in young people, yet standardized diagnostic and treatment protocols are still lacking.
How was it researched?
Researchers conducted a structured narrative review and systematic search across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for literature published between January 2020 and October 2025.
What has been found?
Diagnosis remains difficult due to symptom heterogeneity and a lack of specific biomarkers. Management currently relies on symptom-oriented medications like analgesics 💊, antidepressants 💊, or antianxiety medications 💊, alongside non-pharmacological approaches such as energy conservation, pacing, and cognitive behavioral therapy. While many children show gradual improvement, some remain symptomatic for over a year with substantial disability.
Discussion
A major limitation is the lack of high-quality evidence for specific pharmacological treatments in pediatric cases. The review emphasizes that care must be multidisciplinary and tailored to the predominant symptoms of each individual patient.
Conclusion & Future Work
No definitive cure currently exists for pediatric Long COVID, making individualized functional rehabilitation and international collaboration essential for improving outcomes. Future research must prioritize clinical trials that include children to evaluate novel evidence-based interventions.