Intra-Host Evolution of SARS-CoV-2 During Persistent Infection of Pediatric COVID-19 Patients.

ABSTRACT: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had a profound global impact, yet children exhibited distinct clinical and epidemiological patterns compared to adults. Pediatric cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) were generally characterized by milder disease, lower hospitalization rates, and few long-term sequelae. However, a subset of children developed severe complications such as multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), highlighting the heterogeneity in disease presentation. Differences in immune system maturity and comorbidities likely contribute to the age-dependent manifestation of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses. Persistent SARS-CoV-2 infection, particularly in immunocompromised individuals, has been implicated in the emerg

SUBMITTER: Boyle CR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12567731 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature