New Zealand Study Shows Thousands of Children Still Sick Long After COVID-19 Infection
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jun 11, 2025 1 month, 2 weeks, 2 days, 11 hours, 51 minutes ago
Medical News: In a groundbreaking new study conducted across New Zealand, researchers have discovered that a large number of children continue to suffer from a range of health problems long after recovering from COVID-19. These findings raise major concerns for parents, educators, and healthcare providers as the long-term impacts of the virus on younger populations become clearer.
New Zealand Study Shows Thousands of Children Still Sick Long After COVID-19 Infection
The study, carried out by researchers from the Department of Public Health at the University of Otago, Wellington, the Health Services Research Centre at Victoria University of Wellington, the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Auckland, and the advocacy group Long COVID Kids, involved 4264 children and young adults aged between 3 and 20. This
Medical News report reveals troubling trends about what is commonly referred to as Long COVID in children, with symptoms that affect daily life even months after the infection has passed.
Children’s Health Has Declined Since the Pandemic Began
According to the study, more than 70 percent of the children surveyed had tested positive for COVID-19 through either a PCR or rapid antigen test. Disturbingly, over 24 percent of those who had COVID-19 reported that they now experience more frequent colds, coughs, and stomach bugs. In addition, 21.7 percent now suffer from headaches, 20.6 percent reported ongoing fatigue, and 14.6 percent have regular stomach aches.
The study also found that anxiety, a new issue for many children post-infection, was reported by 13.1 percent of participants. More serious symptoms like persistent cough, nausea, sleep issues, and even concentration problems were also recorded. Girls aged 15 and above were particularly affected, with 9.2 percent reporting menstrual changes since their infection.
What makes this study significant is that researchers had access to pre-pandemic health data from the New Zealand Health Survey, which allowed them to compare the children’s health before and after the virus swept the nation in early 2022. Before COVID-19 became widespread, 82.6 percent of the children said they were in good or very good health. That number has since dropped to 66.8 percent among those who caught the virus.
Long COVID Hits the Most Vulnerable Hardest
Researchers discovered that children with pre-existing long-term health conditions like asthma, eczema, or ADHD were more likely to suffer worse symptoms post-COVID. Among those with these prior conditions, the risk of new symptoms was significantly higher—especially for issues like fatigue, concentration difficulties, and persistent coughs.
Alarmingly, even previously healthy children were not spared. Many who had no prior conditions experienced a noticeable decline in their health and wellbeing. The study found that children who had COVID-19 were also more likely to miss school, activities, or other daily functions than those who had not been inf
ected.
The health toll of Long COVID is not just physical. Mental health was also impacted, with many children showing signs of anxiety, depression, and cognitive difficulties. In a world where children are already facing the stress of lockdowns, missed education, and social disruption, these added burdens are deeply concerning.
Why These Findings Matter Now
New Zealand had initially avoided major outbreaks through strict control measures. But when widespread transmission began in February 2022 during the Omicron wave, the virus quickly spread among young people. Researchers were able to take advantage of this unique timeline to capture clear before-and-after snapshots of children’s health.
This study provides some of the strongest evidence to date that Long COVID in children is not rare and not mild. It confirms what many parents have already suspected—that the after-effects of COVID-19 can last for months and take a serious toll on young bodies and minds.
A Call to Action
The study's authors stress that prevention remains the most effective way to combat post-COVID health issues in children. This includes strong public health measures like better indoor ventilation, use of masks during outbreaks, staying home when sick, and widespread vaccination, especially since vaccines have been shown to reduce the risk of Long COVID.
Researchers also suggest that schools and healthcare providers need to be better equipped to support children who are struggling with post-COVID symptoms. Long COVID should not be dismissed or overlooked, especially when it interferes with learning, development, and emotional health.
Conclusion
This major New Zealand study confirms what is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore—COVID-19 has left a lasting impact on children’s health. From chronic fatigue and recurring infections to mental health struggles and missed school days, Long COVID is real and widespread among young people. While some children recover fully, many are left coping with symptoms for months, possibly longer. The study reinforces the urgent need to take children’s post-COVID symptoms seriously, invest in public health strategies to reduce transmission, and provide medical and emotional support for those still suffering.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jpc.70104
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https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/long-covid
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/coronavirus
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