Long COVID in children: Hannover University strengthens affected families!

Long COVID in children: Hannover University strengthens affected families!

Long COVID is increasingly affecting children and young people in Germany. According to one estimate, the exact number of those affected is difficult to determine. A team of Hannover Medical School (MHH) is therefore testing a multi-center training concept that aims to better support affected families. This project is part of the larger joint project PEDNET-LC, which is funded with around 450,000 euros Federal Ministry of Health is funded over a period of four years.

The symptoms of long COVID are varied and range from pain and gastrointestinal problems to heart problems. Affected children and young people particularly often suffer from chronic exhaustion, also known as fatigue. It is noteworthy that approximately 50% of those affected receive the diagnosis of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). The new training concept is intended to help impart specialist knowledge and promote exchange between those affected, their relatives and medical professionals.

Training concept for affected families

The program's training courses are primarily conducted online and are aimed at various target groups. There are group training courses for parents and children as well as individual courses for young people who cannot take part in group training courses. Thematically, the training courses cover important aspects, including basic knowledge about Long-COVID, the concept of pacing, self-reflection and relaxation techniques.

The training is particularly important for parents who deal with social legal issues, homeschooling and emotional relief when dealing with Long COVID. Specialists from various areas such as medicine, psychology, physiotherapy and social education are also qualified in diagnostics and therapy. In addition, school staff will be provided with necessary information about Long-COVID and alternative forms of teaching. The project entitled “Strong Together: Training for children and young people with post-viral illnesses including ME/CFS and their parents” thus promotes the necessary exchange for affected families.

PEDNET-LC: A comprehensive network

PEDNET-LC stands for “Pediatric network for the care and research of post-acute consequences of COVID-19, similar post-acute infection and vaccination syndromes as well as ME/CFS in children and adolescents”. The project management lies with the Clinic and Polyclinic for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine at the Technical University of Munich. A total of 38 healthcare facilities are integrated into the PEDNET-LC network, which underlines the aim of comprehensive care and research into the problem.

Against the background of these efforts to provide better care for children and adolescents with post-COVID syndromes, the Munich clinic in Schwabing there is a special outpatient clinic for children with suspected primary immune defects. The clinic brings expertise in the differentiated examination of rare diseases and offers a wide range of diagnostic options. If a primary immune deficiency is proven, specific therapies based on scientifically proven concepts can be initiated, including antibody replacement therapies and stem cell transplants.