Study Population
Over a five months period, 29 pediatric subjects presented to CHOP
Pulmonary Clinic for evaluation of persistent symptoms six weeks or more
after COVID-19 infection (Table 1 ). Of subjects seen for COVID-
related complaints, 14% had previously been followed in CHOP Pulmonary
Clinic for other concerns prior to their acute COVID-19 infection. The
mean age at presentation was 13.1 years (range: 4-19 years). Females
(58.6%) and non-whites (55.25%) made up the majority of the patients
seen. Many subjects were overweight or obese with a BMI above the 85th
percentile (62.1%). Baseline atopy, defined as presence of asthma,
eczema and/or allergic rhinitis, was present in 65.5% of subjects. Of
the eleven subjects with asthma, 55% had mild asthma, 36% had moderate
asthma, and 9% had severe asthma. Eight subjects with asthma were
previously prescribed a daily inhaled corticosteroid. Most subjects
(96.6%) reported engagement in regular physical activity prior to acute
COVID-19 infection.