Publication date: May 21, 2026
Background: The relationship between allergic status, SARS-CoV-2 infection, Long COVID, and post-restriction respiratory outcomes in children remains incompletely understood. This study aimed to explore the associations between allergic status and Long COVID, as well as between SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and post-restriction changes in allergic rhinitis (AR), asthma, and upper respiratory infections, in a pediatric tertiary-care cohort. Methods: We conducted a single-center, questionnaire-based observational study involving children aged 0-16 years, who were followed at the Pediatric Allergy Clinic of Umberto I Hospital in Rome. Parents completed an email-based questionnaire addressing SARS-CoV-2 infection, vaccination, persistent post-infectious symptoms, allergic diseases, and respiratory infections following restrictions. Analyses of Long COVID were limited to children with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Results: A total of 214 questionnaires were analyzed. Allergic status was not significantly associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in the overall cohort. Among infected children, allergic status was independently associated with higher odds of Long COVID (adjusted OR 3. 12, 95% CI 1. 20-8. 09; p = 0. 019). Severe acute infection was also strongly associated with Long COVID (adjusted OR 6. 84, 95% CI 2. 72-17. 21; p
Semantics
| Type | Source | Name |
|---|---|---|
| disease | MESH | Long COVID |
| disease | MESH | SARS-CoV-2 infection |
| pathway | REACTOME | SARS-CoV-2 Infection |
| disease | MESH | allergic rhinitis |
| disease | MESH | asthma |
| pathway | KEGG | Asthma |
| disease | MESH | upper respiratory infections |
| disease | MESH | Allergy |
| disease | MESH | infection |
| disease | MESH | pharyngitis |