Predictive model for long COVID in children 3 months after a SARS-CoV-2 PCR test

Table 2 Prevalence (frequencies and percentages) of long COVID 3 months after a PCR test and related variables^a, overall and stratified by SARS-CoV-2 status

Characteristics 3 months after a PCR test	Total population (N=7139)		SARS-CoV-2 negative (N=3893)		SARS-CoV-2 positive (N=3246)
Characteristics 3 months after a PCR test	N	%	N	%	N	%
Outcome
Long COVID at 3 months
No	5603	78.48	3174	81.53	2429	74.83
Yes	1536	21.52	719	18.47	817	25.17
Variables related to the outcome^a
Number of symptoms
0	2968	41.57	1848	47.47	1120	34.50
1–4	3496	48.97	1798	46.19	1698	52.31
5+	675	9.46	247	6.34	428	13.19
Mobility
No problems	6683	93.61	3680	94.53	3003	92.51
Some/a lot of problems	456	6.39	213	5.47	243	7.49
Looking after self
No problems	6819	95.52	3709	95.27	3110	95.81
Some/a lot of problems	320	4.48	184	4.73	136	4.19
Doing usual activities
No problems	6099	85.43	3376	86.72	2723	83.89
Some/a lot of problems	1040	14.57	517	13.28	523	16.11
Having pain
No problems	6016	84.27	3327	85.46	2689	82.84
Some/a lot of problems	1123	15.73	566	14.54	557	17.16
Feeling worried/sad
No problems/a bit	6571	92.04	3581	91.99	2990	92.11
Very worried/sad	568	7.96	312	8.01	256	7.89

The need for a positive test result was not required when assessing how many test-negatives would also have met this definition
^aUsing data from the questionnaire on the 21 symptoms and the EQ-5D-Y scale (~3 months after the PCR test), the Delphi research definition of long COVID was operationalized as having at least 1 symptom and experiencing some/a lot of problems with respect to mobility, self-care, doing usual activities or having pain/discomfort or feeling very worried/sad

ISSN: 1741-7015