Symptom Patterns and Life With Longer Term COVID-19 in Children and Young People (SPLaT-19 Cohort & Qualitative Study)

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Introduction: While there is a substantial body of knowledge about acute Covid-19 in children and young people (CYP), less is known about long-COVID, where symptoms continue beyond four weeks, particularly since the most recent wave of the Omicron variant and the UK childhood vaccination programme roll out. This study aims to provide a picture of longer-term effects of an acute Covid-19 infection in CYP and identify their needs. Methods and analysis: The study comprises an observational prospective cohort study and a linked qualitative study. The cohort study will identify CYP aged 8-17 years in the West Midlands of England and, irrespective of Covid-19 status, invite them to complete an online questionnaire at point of recruitment, and after 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. CYP who have experienced long-term effects of COVID-19 will be invited to interview and, those who are currently experiencing symptoms, will be invited to record their experiences in a diary. Adults working in professional or third sector/voluntary roles with CYP will be invited to take part in a focus group to explore the perceived impact of Long-COVID on the wider experience of CYP. Approximately 900 participants will be needed for the cohort study to ensure the sample size is suitable, with approximately 20 CYP invited to interview and approximately 8 professionals invited to a focus group. Descriptive statistics will be used to describe incidence rates of symptoms and symptom resolution trajectories, and comparisons made between exposed and non-exposed groups. Logistic regression models will be used to estimate associations between candidate predictors and development of Long-COVID at each follow-up point. Linear regression will be used to estimate associations between candidate predictors and poor outcome in terms of health-related quality of life, as described by the KIDSCREEN10. Qualitative data will be analysed thematically using the constant comparison method. Ethics and dissemination: Research Ethics Committee and Health Research Authority approvals will be sought. Information about where to seek support will be provided to participants to mitigate against risks of harm. Study findings will be presented at conferences and published in open access journals.

Official Title
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Symptom Patterns and Life With Longer Term COVID-19 in Children and Young People (SPLaT-19 Cohort & Qualitative Study)

Conditions
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COVID-19, Pediatric ALL

Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria for Cohort: • All CYP aged 8 years - 17 years & 11 months will be eligible for the study regardless of whether they have had acute COVID-19 or not. Exposure to COVID-19 will be defined as a self-reported positive Sars-CoV-2 PCR test OR a positive self-reported LFD OR self-reported presumed COVID-19 illness. Participants must have a recorded mobile number in their GP record. Exclusion Criteria for Cohort: • CYP aged 8-17 (inclusive) who have relevant dissent codes on their medical records, indicating that their records are not to be used for research. CYP who have declined consent for text messaging services will not be invited to the study. CYP younger than 8 years and older than 17 years and 11 months will not be invited to the study. Inclusion Criteria for Interviews: • Children and adolescents (n≈20) aged 8 to 17 years, with evidence of Long COVID, as identified through participation in SPLaT cohort and defined as symptoms persisting longer than 4 weeks following an acute episode of COVID-19. Inclusion Criteria for Focus Group: • Adults working with children and adolescents in roles including teaching, social work, and voluntary organisations, identified by our local networks (n≈8).

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 8 Years
Maximum Age: 17 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Children and Young People aged 8-17<br>All CYP aged 8 years - 17 years & 11 months whether they have had acute COVID-19 or not. Exposure to COVID-19 will be defined as a self-reported positive Sars-CoV-2 PCR test OR a positive self-reported OR self-reported presumed COVID-19 illness. Participants must have a recorded mobile number in their GP record. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Screening For and Promotion of Health-Related Quality of Life in Children and Adolescents - a European Public Health perspective (KIDSCREEN, specifically using the KIDSCREEN 10 tool) | Global health-related quality of life measure. Minimum value 1 and maximum value 5 per question. Higher values indicate better quality of life. | 12 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Inventory of Long COVID symptoms | Based on the ISARIC-WHO COVID-19 Survey and NICE COVID rapid evidence review | 12 months | 
| Health service utilisation | Contacts with and attendances at GP surgery, A&E attendance, referrals to secondary care (including paediatric fatigue clinic), hospital admission, contact with counselling / mental health services | 12 months | 
| New medical conditions diagnosed since COVID | Any new medical conditions diagnosed since COVID (e.g. asthma, type 1 diabetes) | 12 months | 
| School absence and attainment | Days absent and difficulties completing school work | 12 months |