Impact of Long COVID on the Quality of Life and School Absenteeism in Children: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Background: Long COVID (LC), characterized by persistent symptoms following SARS-CoV-2 infection, has emerged as an important consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Definitions vary across organizations and are largely based on adults. Combined with the wide range of prevalence estimates among LC children and declining researching funding, this highlights the need to focus on LC in the pediatric population, particularly its effects on quality of life (QoL) and school absenteeism.

Objective: This scoping review examined the impact of LC on QoL and school absenteeism in children.

Methods: A systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, APA PsycINFO, and medRxiv was conducted for studies published from 2020 to May 2025. Eligible studies included children aged 18 years or younger with LC, reported at least one relevant outcome (QoL or school absenteeism), and provided a clear definition of LC. One reviewer conducted title/abstract and full-text screening, with a second reviewer verifying exclusions. The same process was used for data extraction.

Results: Thirteen studies were included. LC definitions varied substantially, with symptom duration ranging from 4 weeks to at least 3 months. Most studies found reduced QoL among children with LC. School absenteeism was also frequently reported, with some children experiencing partial or complete absence due to symptoms such as fatigue, headache, and dizziness. However, heterogeneity in LC definitions, outcome measures, and control groups limits direct comparison and must be interpreted with caution.

Conclusion: LC may be associated with poorer QoL and increased school absenteeism in children. However, substantial heterogeneity across studies limits comparability. Further research is needed to better understand the long-term impact of LC in the pediatric population.