Millions of individuals continue to experience prolonged Covid-19 symptoms well after their initial infections, with two recent studies shedding light on the significant impact of this health issue that often remains overlooked by medical professionals.
One study, presented at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine’s annual meeting in National Harbor, Maryland, indicates that 1 in 10 individuals who contracted Covid-19 during pregnancy develop long-term symptoms.
This finding is based on data from the National Institutes of Health’s Recover Initiative, which monitors the lasting effects of Covid-19 on adults and children.
Among the 1,503 pregnant individuals in the dataset, 9.3% reported experiencing symptoms persisting six months or longer post-infection.
Fatigue after mild physical or mental exertion was the most commonly reported symptom, alongside occasional dizziness.
Compared to estimates for the general population, the incidence of long Covid among pregnant individuals appears relatively low.
Dr. Torri Metz, co-author of the study and associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at University of Utah Health, speculates several reasons for this disparity, suggesting that pregnant individuals may have fewer underlying health conditions, tend to be younger, or exhibit different immune responses.
“Pregnant individuals typically experience a less robust immune response, which may mitigate some of the inflammatory damage observed in others,” Metz explained.
Factors such as obesity, chronic anxiety or depression diagnoses, and the need for supplemental oxygen during illness were identified as increasing the risk of long Covid among pregnant individuals, irrespective of their vaccination status.
Despite over half of those with long Covid being fully vaccinated, vaccination significantly reduces the likelihood of severe disease, which indirectly influences the risk of long Covid.
Metz underscored the socioeconomic influences on long Covid outcomes, noting a correlation between financial difficulties and prolonged symptoms.
“High proportions of patients reported challenges in paying their bills, highlighting concerns about access to necessary healthcare,” she emphasized.
Dr. Amy Edwards, associate medical director of pediatric infection control at UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, who oversees their long Covid clinic, emphasized the implications for pediatric care based on these findings.
She highlighted the importance for healthcare providers to recognize long Covid as a potential cause of persistent fatigue beyond the postpartum period.
Meanwhile, a separate study published in Pediatrics last week reviewed various research on children and estimated that up to 6 million have experienced long Covid.
While most young patients eventually recovered, approximately one-third continued to exhibit symptoms even a year post-infection, including respiratory issues and fatigue.
Edwards stressed the long-term consequences for adolescents missing crucial developmental experiences due to long Covid, cautioning against underestimating its impact.
The studies also highlighted a heightened risk of autoimmune conditions like type 1 diabetes among children post-Covid, irrespective of the severity of their initial illness.
Factors such as housing and food insecurity exacerbated the illness by compromising immune function.
Edwards acknowledged a decline in patient referrals to pediatric long Covid clinics compared to earlier in the pandemic but noted ongoing demand, resulting in reduced wait times but still significant delays in accessing care.
