Findings of the CLoCK study were published last week in the Lancet, outlining the physical and mental symptoms experienced by children and young people 3 months after infection with SARS-CoV-2. Researchers compared symptoms at baseline and 3 months between young people who tested positive for COVID versus those who tested negative.

Interestingly, the mental health, wellbeing, and fatigue scores were similar in the two groups. Striking, however, is the high proportion (about 40%) of children and young people who felt worried, sad or unhappy irrespective of whether they had COVID. Perhaps it reflects the fact that they have all been living through the pandemic’s isolation and school closures.  

Physical and mental health 3 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection (long COVID) among adolescents in England (CLoCk): a national matched cohort study

Stephenson T, Pereira SMP, Shafran R, et al. Physical and mental health 3 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection (long COVID) among adolescents in England (CLoCk): a national matched cohort study. Lancet Child Adolesc Health. 2022;0(0). doi:10.1016/S2352-4642(22)00022-0  

Follow this link to read the full paper.