New Delhi, April 12: A recent study has revealed that children and adolescents with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection face a significantly increased risk of developing a range of cardiovascular conditions, shedding light on a concern previously focused mainly on adults.
While earlier studies have reported cardiovascular complications following COVID-19 in adults, evidence among younger populations has been limited. However, new findings led by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania indicate that children and adolescents may also experience various cardiac symptoms and conditions after infection.
The study, published in Nature Communications, analyzed electronic health records (EHRs) from 19 pediatric hospitals and healthcare institutions across the United States, spanning from March 2020 to September 2023. It included data from 297,920 children and adolescents who had tested positive for COVID-19, and 915,402 who had not been infected. All participants were followed for at least six months.
The researchers found that those with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection had a statistically significant higher risk of developing cardiovascular issues such as hypertension, ventricular arrhythmias, myocarditis, heart failure, cardiomyopathy, cardiac arrest, thromboembolism, chest pain, and palpitations, compared to those who were never infected.
Importantly, these elevated risks were seen in both children with and without congenital heart defects (CHDs). However, children with CHDs showed a particularly increased likelihood of atrial fibrillation, a condition characterized by an irregular heartbeat.
The study also noted a link between obesity and certain severe cardiovascular outcomes. While obesity was associated with higher risks of some serious heart conditions, it was paradoxically tied to lower risks of experiencing general cardiovascular symptoms, underlining the complex relationship between obesity and heart health in pediatric populations.
The researchers emphasized that recognizing the elevated cardiovascular risks in children and adolescents post-COVID infection is essential. “Timely referrals, diagnostic evaluations, and appropriate management strategies are crucial to help prevent long-term heart complications in this vulnerable group,” they concluded.
