Pediatric Post-COVID-19 Rehabilitation Clinic

Patient Care

Patients who have recovered from the COVID-19 virus are more likely to have long-term physical, cognitive and emotional effects that linger after recovery. Children who have recovered are no exception.

Kennedy Krieger Post-COVID Clinic

Kennedy Krieger Institute has created the Pediatric Post-COVID-19 Rehabilitation Clinic, for children and adolescents who have recovered from COVID-19 but need additional support to regain lost neurological and physical functioning as a result of the illness. After a prolonged illness, rehabilitation can play a critical role in recovery. Our interdisciplinary team of experts are well-equipped to address loss of strength, function, fine motor skills and continued, lingering symptoms.

The interdisciplinary clinic will provide the following services:

Referrals to other services, including occupational therapy, are also available. Patients needing intensive therapy could be referred for inpatient treatment.

COVID-19

COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by a new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) not previously seen in humans. COVID-19 can cause fever, cough, and shortness of breath. This virus is spread through human contact, much like the cold or flu.

The virus has been identified in thousands people across the globe. While most people recover from COVID-19, it can be life-altering. People who have recovered from COVID-19 may experience long-term physical, cognitive and emotional effects. Children who have recovered are no exception.

COVID-19 appears to cause a much less severe illness in children compared to adults. While fever, cough and shortness of breath are seen in both children and adults, most children with COVID-19 have a very mild illness that may be less severe than our usual respiratory viruses such as influenza or Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). However, some children develop complications that are ongoing as well as some children also develop Multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C).

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C)

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a condition where different body parts can become inflamed, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs. Children with MIS-C may have a fever and various symptoms, including abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, neck pain, rash, bloodshot eyes, or feeling extra tired. It is not yet known what causes MIS-C. However, many children with MIS-C had the virus that causes COVID-19, or had been around someone with COVID-19.

Our Team

Each child has an interdisciplinary team of highly skilled clinicians selected to meet the individual needs of the child and family. The treatment team is made up of experienced specialists, including the following: