Experiences of living with long COVID during childhood and adolescence: a qualitative study from the child's perspective.

Abstract

Background: In February 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) defined long COVID in children, highlighting limited knowledge about its psychosocial impact. Studies show it as a complex, long-lasting condition affecting multiple systems. WHO and researchers emphasise the need for more understanding, particularly its effect on daily life. The aim of this study was to explore how life is experienced and how it changed whilst living with long COVID during childhood.

Methods: We present a qualitative study with an inductive and exploratory approach. Between October 2022 and March 2024, 16 children between 9 and 18 years old diagnosed with long COVID were interviewed face-to-face using a semi-structured interview guide. The results were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis by Braun and Clarke.

Results: The results present the subjective reality of children suffering from long COVID and their struggle in daily life. The findings are presented through three themes: Losing my foothold, Fatigue decides my path, and My way forward, illustrating a temporal and emotional journey, reflecting how children make sense of their experiences, adapt to the persistent impact of long COVID, and gradually move toward acceptance.

Conclusions: This study addresses the lack of knowledge of long COVID in the society, how it affects children in their struggle to find a new path in life. It also shows that, with knowledge and support, the symptoms and the burden of the condition can decrease or even pass. It is important that people around these children, including health care, school and family, use this knowledge to promote health and avoid educational, health and social problems at a vulnerable time in life.