Role of nutrient supplements in children with post-COVID condition: a retrospective preliminary observation and narrative review
Abstract Background Post-COVID Condition (PCC), emerging as a significant long-term consequence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, affects not only adults but also the pediatric population. Despite ongoing research, the precise pathophysiology of PCC remains elusive. However, several putative mechanisms have...
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| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Italian Journal of Pediatrics |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13052-025-01961-5 |
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| author | Rosa Morello Cristina De Rose Laura Martino Francesca Raffaelli Giuseppe Zampino Piero Valentini Danilo Buonsenso |
| author_facet | Rosa Morello Cristina De Rose Laura Martino Francesca Raffaelli Giuseppe Zampino Piero Valentini Danilo Buonsenso |
| author_sort | Rosa Morello |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Post-COVID Condition (PCC), emerging as a significant long-term consequence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, affects not only adults but also the pediatric population. Despite ongoing research, the precise pathophysiology of PCC remains elusive. However, several putative mechanisms have been identified, leading to the exploration of various therapeutic strategies. Notably, in the adult population, there has been substantial interest in the potential efficacy of nutritional supplements. Regrettably, information regarding the use of such supplements in the pediatric population is currently lacking. Methods The present study was conducted to assess the impact of nutritional supplements on alleviating long COVID symptoms in children. To achieve this, we conducted a retrospective analysis of nutrient supplements administered by parents to children with Post-COVID Condition (PCC) between February 2020 and October 2022. Statistical analyses were employed to determine associations between categorical variables. Results A total of 1243 children were enrolled following documented SARS-CoV-2 infection, with 940 (76.2%) diagnosed as recovered and 294 (23.8%) diagnosed with Long COVID. Among Long COVID patients experiencing disabling symptoms, treatment with oral lactoferrin and/or a Multi-Element Product (MEP) with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties was initiated. The correlation analysis between the use of supplements and persistence of long COVID at the next follow-up showed that the use of MEP alone (OR 5.7, 95% CI 3.8–8.5), or the combination of MEP and lactoferrin (OR 5.06, 95% CI 3.3–7.6) three months after the initial infection and for the following three months, were associated with a lower risk having long covid at six months following initial infection, when compared with the use of lactoferrin alone (OR 7.6 95% CI 5.1–11.4). Conclusions This proof-of-concept study revealed that MEP and lactoferrin, when administered three months after initial infection in patients with a new diagnosis of long covid, may have a positive impact on improving Long COVID symptoms in children during follow-up evaluations. This positive trend toward reducing Post-COVID Condition (PCC) exhibited by MEP and lactoferrin suggested a potential benefit worthy of exploration in future randomized controlled trials. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5814964226ef4f49bc9c4a8cc18cfa7e |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1824-7288 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | Italian Journal of Pediatrics |
| spelling | doaj-art-5814964226ef4f49bc9c4a8cc18cfa7e2025-08-20T02:17:48ZengBMCItalian Journal of Pediatrics1824-72882025-04-015111810.1186/s13052-025-01961-5Role of nutrient supplements in children with post-COVID condition: a retrospective preliminary observation and narrative reviewRosa Morello0Cristina De Rose1Laura Martino2Francesca Raffaelli3Giuseppe Zampino4Piero Valentini5Danilo Buonsenso6Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCSDepartment of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCSDepartment of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCSDepartment of Laboratory and Infectivology Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCSDepartment of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCSDepartment of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCSDepartment of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCSAbstract Background Post-COVID Condition (PCC), emerging as a significant long-term consequence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, affects not only adults but also the pediatric population. Despite ongoing research, the precise pathophysiology of PCC remains elusive. However, several putative mechanisms have been identified, leading to the exploration of various therapeutic strategies. Notably, in the adult population, there has been substantial interest in the potential efficacy of nutritional supplements. Regrettably, information regarding the use of such supplements in the pediatric population is currently lacking. Methods The present study was conducted to assess the impact of nutritional supplements on alleviating long COVID symptoms in children. To achieve this, we conducted a retrospective analysis of nutrient supplements administered by parents to children with Post-COVID Condition (PCC) between February 2020 and October 2022. Statistical analyses were employed to determine associations between categorical variables. Results A total of 1243 children were enrolled following documented SARS-CoV-2 infection, with 940 (76.2%) diagnosed as recovered and 294 (23.8%) diagnosed with Long COVID. Among Long COVID patients experiencing disabling symptoms, treatment with oral lactoferrin and/or a Multi-Element Product (MEP) with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties was initiated. The correlation analysis between the use of supplements and persistence of long COVID at the next follow-up showed that the use of MEP alone (OR 5.7, 95% CI 3.8–8.5), or the combination of MEP and lactoferrin (OR 5.06, 95% CI 3.3–7.6) three months after the initial infection and for the following three months, were associated with a lower risk having long covid at six months following initial infection, when compared with the use of lactoferrin alone (OR 7.6 95% CI 5.1–11.4). Conclusions This proof-of-concept study revealed that MEP and lactoferrin, when administered three months after initial infection in patients with a new diagnosis of long covid, may have a positive impact on improving Long COVID symptoms in children during follow-up evaluations. This positive trend toward reducing Post-COVID Condition (PCC) exhibited by MEP and lactoferrin suggested a potential benefit worthy of exploration in future randomized controlled trials.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13052-025-01961-5SARS-Cov-2 infectionLong COVIDPost COVID condition (PCC)ChildrenPCC treatmentNutrient supplements |
| spellingShingle | Rosa Morello Cristina De Rose Laura Martino Francesca Raffaelli Giuseppe Zampino Piero Valentini Danilo Buonsenso Role of nutrient supplements in children with post-COVID condition: a retrospective preliminary observation and narrative review Italian Journal of Pediatrics SARS-Cov-2 infection Long COVID Post COVID condition (PCC) Children PCC treatment Nutrient supplements |
| title | Role of nutrient supplements in children with post-COVID condition: a retrospective preliminary observation and narrative review |
| title_full | Role of nutrient supplements in children with post-COVID condition: a retrospective preliminary observation and narrative review |
| title_fullStr | Role of nutrient supplements in children with post-COVID condition: a retrospective preliminary observation and narrative review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Role of nutrient supplements in children with post-COVID condition: a retrospective preliminary observation and narrative review |
| title_short | Role of nutrient supplements in children with post-COVID condition: a retrospective preliminary observation and narrative review |
| title_sort | role of nutrient supplements in children with post covid condition a retrospective preliminary observation and narrative review |
| topic | SARS-Cov-2 infection Long COVID Post COVID condition (PCC) Children PCC treatment Nutrient supplements |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13052-025-01961-5 |
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