Abstract
Dear Editor,
Since the onset of the SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome CoronaVirus 2) infection, the acronym COVID-19 (COronaVirus Disease-2019) was coined to describe the viral-triggered illness ranging from asymptomatic to deadly according to many factors such age, comorbidities, and ethnicity. 1
After the acute phase of the disease, a number of patients may suffer from long COVID, that is a multi-system condition sharing a variety of fluctuating symptoms. This issue has been well described by Zanini et al. from a pathophysiological standpoint, with inflammatory status, endothelial damage, and pro-coagulant status being the cornerstones of the condition. 2
While the studies on long COVID are usually focused on adult patients, we would like to add that it can affect children and adolescents as well, with manifestations similar to those seen in adult patients. However, the number of the involved patients seems to be lower than that seen in adulthood. 3 This may be due to the presence of protective factors leading to milder severity and shorter duration of long COVID in childhood and adolescence, such as less comorbidities, strong innate immune system response, reduced expression of ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) receptors, and active thymic function, which is responsible for an increased level and decreased depletion of T cells. 3 Further protection might be due to recent vaccines, past infections, nutrition status, and the gut microbiome.3-5
On balance, the legacy of COVID-19 involves all ages and nobody can consider themselves as exempt from it.
