Autonomic cardiac function in children and adolescents with long COVID: a case-controlled study

• DOI: 10.1007/s00431-024-05503-9
• Publication Date: 2024-03-06T12:02:08Z
• Authors: A. B. Delogu; C. Aliberti; L. Birritella; G. De Rosa; C. De Rose; R. Morello; N. Cambise; A. G. Marino; A. Belmusto; L. Tinti; A. Di Renzo; G. A. Lanza; D. Buonsenso
• Keywords: Autonomic function; Pathophysiology

Although the mechanisms underlying pathophysiology of long COVID condition are still debated, there is growing evidence that autonomic dysfunction may play a role in long-term complications or persisting symptoms observed significant proportion patients after SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, studies focused on have primarily been conducted adults, while function has not yet investigated pediatric subjects. In this study, for first time, we assessed whether with present abnormalities cardiac function. Fifty-six (mean age 10.3 ± 3.8 y) and 27 age-, sex-, body surface area-matched healthy controls 10.4 4.5y) underwent standard 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG) 24-h ECG Holter monitoring. Autonomic was by time-domain frequency-domain heart rate variability parameters. A comprehensive echocardiographic study also obtained two-dimensional echocardiography tissue Doppler imaging. Data analysis showed had changes HRV variables compared to controls: significantly lower r-MSSD (root mean square successive RR interval differences, 47.4 16.9 versus 60.4 29.1, p = 0.02), higher values VLF (very low frequency, 2077.8 1023.3 494.3 1015.5 ms, 0.000), LF (low 1340.3 635.6 354.6 816.8 HF (high 895.7 575.8 278.9 616.7 0.000). No differences were between two groups both systolic diastolic parameters echocardiography. Conclusion: These findings suggest an imbalance toward relative predominance parasympathetic tone, as already reported adult COVID. Further needed clarify clinical significance demonstrate its pathophysiological mechanism COVID, paving way effective therapeutic preventive strategies. What Known: • Long Covid children described globally, but mostly collecting temporal evolution symptoms. New: Cardiac tone children, adults.