Determining the Delayed Effects of COVID-19 in Children Hospitalized in Southeastern Iran from 2021 to 2023.

Introduction: Understanding the delayed effects of COVID-19, often called "long COVID-19," is essential for creating effective treatment protocols and support systems for affected children. This study was conducted to determine the delayed effects of COVID-19 in hospitalized children.

Methods: This cross-sectional study is descriptive-analytical and was conducted through a census of 137 hospitalized children diagnosed with COVID-19 in Jiroft, Iran, from 2021 to 2023. Data were collected using a checklist from the patients' medical records and through telephone interviews with the children's parents. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics at a significance level of p < 0.05.

Results: The average age of the children was 7.7 years, with a majority being boys, and a small percentage having underlying medical conditions. Most children were hospitalized for three days. Fatigue was the most common delayed complication, affecting 21.1% of cases, while seizures were the least common at 1.4%. Other notable complications included cough, rhinorrhea, and nausea, with significant relationships observed between age and issues like loss of smell and decreased appetite. Underlying diseases were linked to higher rates of cough and shortness of breath.

Discussion: Fatigue was the most common delayed complication of COVID-19 in hospitalized children. Younger children and those with underlying health conditions were particularly vulnerable to these delayed effects.

Conclusion: This study underscores the need for personalized follow-up care for pediatric patients recovering from COVID-19. Comprehensive monitoring and support programs are crucial for addressing the specific complications observed in this population, thereby ensuring improved long-term outcomes.