Early symptoms and 12-week follow-up of pediatric omicron infections during the Beijing outbreak

ObjectivesTo investigate the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of children infected with the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 during the early outbreak in Beijing, with particular attention to symptom profiles, clinical management, and persistent symptoms at 12 weeks post-infection.MethodsTh...

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Main Authors: Qin Hui, Jing Liu, Hua Fan, Xiaonan Hou, Xuan Li, Wei Li, Qi Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Pediatrics
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2025.1389572/full
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author Qin Hui
Jing Liu
Hua Fan
Xiaonan Hou
Xuan Li
Wei Li
Qi Zhang
author_facet Qin Hui
Jing Liu
Hua Fan
Xiaonan Hou
Xuan Li
Wei Li
Qi Zhang
author_sort Qin Hui
collection DOAJ
description ObjectivesTo investigate the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of children infected with the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 during the early outbreak in Beijing, with particular attention to symptom profiles, clinical management, and persistent symptoms at 12 weeks post-infection.MethodsThis prospective study enrolled children under 18 years of age with confirmed or suspected Omicron infection in Beijing between December 2022 and January 2023. Data were collected via an online questionnaire targeting both community-managed and outpatient children. A follow-up survey was conducted at 12 weeks post-infection to assess long-term symptoms.ResultsA total of 1,610 children aged 15 days to 18 years were included (median age: 3.00 years; 51.4% boys). Fever (96.4%) was the most common symptom, with a mean peak temperature of 39°C (range: 37.6–41°C). Other frequent symptoms included cough (59.1%), runny nose (43.7%), and fatigue (22.1%). The mean duration of fever was 2.05 ± 1.09 days, and the mean duration of all symptoms was 5.89 ± 4.35 days, with both showing significant differences across age groups (p < 0.001). By one week post-infection, symptoms had resolved in 34.2% of cases. At 12 weeks, 2.9% (43/1,471) of children still reported persistent symptoms. The most common were cough (1.4%), nasal congestion (1.1%), dry throat and exertional dyspnea (each 0.7%), and fatigue (0.6%).ConclusionsOmicron infection affected children across all age groups, with a higher prevalence in younger children. Fever and cough were the predominant acute symptoms, while a small subset reported mild persistent symptoms 12 weeks post-infection.
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spelling doaj-art-e3708456739f4e6db1a142ead4e500b92025-08-20T03:43:55ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Pediatrics2296-23602025-08-011310.3389/fped.2025.13895721389572Early symptoms and 12-week follow-up of pediatric omicron infections during the Beijing outbreakQin HuiJing LiuHua FanXiaonan HouXuan LiWei LiQi ZhangObjectivesTo investigate the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of children infected with the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 during the early outbreak in Beijing, with particular attention to symptom profiles, clinical management, and persistent symptoms at 12 weeks post-infection.MethodsThis prospective study enrolled children under 18 years of age with confirmed or suspected Omicron infection in Beijing between December 2022 and January 2023. Data were collected via an online questionnaire targeting both community-managed and outpatient children. A follow-up survey was conducted at 12 weeks post-infection to assess long-term symptoms.ResultsA total of 1,610 children aged 15 days to 18 years were included (median age: 3.00 years; 51.4% boys). Fever (96.4%) was the most common symptom, with a mean peak temperature of 39°C (range: 37.6–41°C). Other frequent symptoms included cough (59.1%), runny nose (43.7%), and fatigue (22.1%). The mean duration of fever was 2.05 ± 1.09 days, and the mean duration of all symptoms was 5.89 ± 4.35 days, with both showing significant differences across age groups (p < 0.001). By one week post-infection, symptoms had resolved in 34.2% of cases. At 12 weeks, 2.9% (43/1,471) of children still reported persistent symptoms. The most common were cough (1.4%), nasal congestion (1.1%), dry throat and exertional dyspnea (each 0.7%), and fatigue (0.6%).ConclusionsOmicron infection affected children across all age groups, with a higher prevalence in younger children. Fever and cough were the predominant acute symptoms, while a small subset reported mild persistent symptoms 12 weeks post-infection.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2025.1389572/fullchildrenomicronsymptomCOVID-19Beijing
spellingShingle Qin Hui
Jing Liu
Hua Fan
Xiaonan Hou
Xuan Li
Wei Li
Qi Zhang
Early symptoms and 12-week follow-up of pediatric omicron infections during the Beijing outbreak
Frontiers in Pediatrics
children
omicron
symptom
COVID-19
Beijing
title Early symptoms and 12-week follow-up of pediatric omicron infections during the Beijing outbreak
title_full Early symptoms and 12-week follow-up of pediatric omicron infections during the Beijing outbreak
title_fullStr Early symptoms and 12-week follow-up of pediatric omicron infections during the Beijing outbreak
title_full_unstemmed Early symptoms and 12-week follow-up of pediatric omicron infections during the Beijing outbreak
title_short Early symptoms and 12-week follow-up of pediatric omicron infections during the Beijing outbreak
title_sort early symptoms and 12 week follow up of pediatric omicron infections during the beijing outbreak
topic children
omicron
symptom
COVID-19
Beijing
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2025.1389572/full
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