Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jul 24, 2025 1 day, 12 hours, 20 minutes ago
Medical News: New Research Sheds Light on Why Long COVID Persists in Kids
A team of scientists from Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Jena University Hospital of Friedrich Schiller University, the University of Basel, and the Technical University Berlin has made significant progress in uncovering what drives Long COVID in children. Unlike adults, many children who suffer from Long COVID show no obvious abnormalities in routine heart or lung tests—yet their symptoms persist for months or even years.
Immune Metabolic Triggers Behind Long COVID in Children
This
Medical News report reveals that researchers found lasting immune and metabolic disturbances in young Long COVID patients. By analyzing blood samples and tracking symptoms over time in 74 children with Long COVID and 27 controls, they discovered patterns that explain why some children recover while others do not.
Persistent Symptoms Linked to Shifting Immune Responses
One of the key findings was that even after two to three years, many children still suffered from severe fatigue, weakness, sleep issues, and cognitive problems. Surprisingly, these symptoms continued even though heart and lung exams appeared normal. The scientists instead found that the immune system in these children had changed dramatically over time. Early stages of Long COVID were marked by strong antiviral responses and increased levels of IL-13 and IFN-α, which later gave way to inflammatory responses involving IL-17 and innate immune cells.
A protein called neurofilament light chain (NfL), which signals damage to nerve cells, was elevated in those with more severe symptoms. Meanwhile, children without Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) exposure who had higher levels of IL-12p40, vitamin B1, and certain immune cells appeared to fare better, suggesting that these factors may offer some protection.
Different Subtypes of Long COVID in Children Identified
The researchers found that Long COVID is not a single disease but includes multiple biologically different subtypes. Some children had blood clotting abnormalities, while others showed autoimmune signals or metabolic changes depending on whether they had prior EBV exposure or specific antibodies like anti-DFS70.
These insights are crucial, as they explain why some children get better and others do not. For instance, anti-DFS70 antibodies were linked to fewer clotting problems, while EBV-exposed children showed a more inflammatory immune response with altered blood markers. Levels of lipoprotein(a), thyroid hormone TSH, and blood clotting time also varied between subgroups—offering more clues to possible long-term complications.
Hope for More Accurate Diagnosis and Targeted Treatment
The study highlights that paediatric Long COVID is driven by a combination of immune imbalance, metabolic disruption, and sometimes past viral exposures. Routine tests often miss these changes, but specialized blood markers can help identify children at higher risk of prolonged illness.
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The researchers emphasize that Long COVID in kids is a complex and evolving condition, requiring personalized treatment based on the child’s specific immune and metabolic profile. With this knowledge, future therapies can be more precise and effective.
The study findings were published on a preprint server and are currently being peer reviewed.
https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-7083240/v1
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Medical News.
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/new-zealand-study-shows-thousands-of-children-still-sick-long-after-covid-19-infection
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/covid-19-infections-in-children-linked-to-sudden-onset-ocd-and-juvenile-arthritis
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/long-covid-in-children-linked-to-reduced-blood-flow-in-lungs
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