10/08/2025
Kids, COVID, and the Brain: What a New Case Series Found
Symptoms sound very similar to PANDAS/PANS
We’ve all heard about “long COVID,” but what does it look like in kids—especially when their original illness was mild? A new medical case series followed five children (ages 2–15) who had mild COVID at home and later developed neuropsychiatric symptoms—things like tics (eye blinking, grimaces), anxiety, sleep problems, and in one teen, a short psychotic episode that improved with treatment.
What’s striking:
Symptoms appeared weeks to months after the infection was over.
Scans and tests were mostly normal (EEGs, MRIs, bloodwork).
Therapies helped: cognitive behavioral therapy, speech/motor therapy for little ones, and medication for the teen.
Some kids improved a lot over time, but a few still had mild symptoms at follow-up.
Why might this happen?
The authors think it’s multifactorial—not just one cause. Possible pieces of the puzzle include:
Inflammation in the body or brain after the virus
The immune system getting confused and overreacting
Stress from the pandemic (isolation, school disruption) amplifying problems in vulnerable kids
Temporary shifts in brain chemicals tied to infection and stress
How common is this?
That’s still unclear. Different studies report very different numbers, and this paper covers only five cases. The bottom line: it can happen, even after mild illness, and more follow-up is needed to know how long symptoms last and which kids are at higher risk.
What can parents watch for?
New or worsening tics (frequent blinking, facial movements)
Irritability, anxiety, or big mood swings
Sleep trouble, attention problems, or “brain fog”
Changes in appetite, clinginess, or regression (like bed-wetting)
If you notice these after COVID, talk with your pediatrician. The good news: many kids improve with time and support, and therapies can make a real difference.
👉 Read the full article here: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9138973/
(Usual reminder: this isn’t medical advice—just a summary to spark awareness and conversation. If you’re worried about a child, please check in with a healthcare professional.)