Second Infection May Double Long COVID Risk for Kids

Children who were infected with Omicron-variant SARS-CoV-2 more than once had twice the risk of developing Long COVID compared to those who had only one infection, according to a large U.S. study.

Researchers analyzed data from 465,717 children and adolescents in the NIH’s RECOVER Initiative, spanning 40 hospitals between January 2022 and October 2023, the period when Omicron variants were dominant.

The results showed that the relative risk of Long COVID was 2.08 times higher among kids with a second Omicron infection, regardless of vaccination status. Long COVID was defined as symptoms or diagnoses recorded 90–179 days after infection.

The elevated risk persisted across multiple conditions linked to Long COVID, including myocarditis, heart disease, blood clots, kidney injury, fatigue, cognitive impairment, and dysautonomia (POTS).

Experts say the findings highlight how reinfections with Omicron compounds risk and that Long COVID may become a lasting pediatric health issue. Editorial author Dr. Danilo Buonsenso emphasized that “Long COVID is here to stay—even in children,” and urged governments to prioritize dedicated pediatric research centers and clinical support programs.

The study also noted that low vaccination and booster rates continue to leave many children vulnerable. Researchers have called for stronger public health messaging to reduce infections and reinfections, as well as for expanded investment in research for Long COVID care and a cure.

Citations

Zhang, B., Wu, Q., Jhaveri, R., Zhou, T., Becich, M. J., Bisyuk, Y., Blanceró, F., Chrischilles, E. A., Chuang, C. H., Cowell, L. G., Fort, D., Horowitz, C. R., Kim, S., Ladino, N., Liebovitz, D. M., Liu, M., Mosa, A. S. M., Schwenk, H. T., Suresh, S., Taylor, B. W., … RECOVER Consortium (2025). Long COVID associated with SARS-CoV-2 reinfection among children and adolescents in the omicron era (RECOVER-EHR): a retrospective cohort study. The Lancet. Infectious diseases, S1473-3099(25)00476-1. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(25)00476-1

Buonsenso, D. (2025). Long COVID is here to stay—even in children. The Lancet Infectious Diseases. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(25)00496-7