ABSTRACT
Long COVID disproportionately affects premenopausal women, but relatively few studies have examined Long COVID's impact on female reproductive health. We conduct a review of the literature documenting the female reproductive health impacts of Long COVID which may include disruptions to the menstrual cycle, gonadal function, ovarian sufficiency, menopause, and fertility, as well as symptom exacerbation around menstruation. Given limited research, we also review the reproductive health impacts of overlapping and associated illnesses including myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), connective tissue disorders like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), and endometriosis, as these illnesses may help to elucidate reproductive health conditions in Long COVID. These associated illnesses, whose patients are 70%-80% women, have increased rates of dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, dyspareunia, endometriosis, infertility, vulvodynia, intermenstrual bleeding, ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids and bleeding, pelvic congestion syndrome, gynecological surgeries, and adverse pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, maternal mortality, and premature birth. Additionally, in Long COVID and associated illnesses, symptoms can be impacted by the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause. We propose priorities for future research and reproductive healthcare in Long COVID based on a review of the literature. These include screening Long COVID patients for comorbid and associated conditions; studying the impacts of the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause on symptoms and illness progression; uncovering the role of sex differences and sex hormones in Long COVID and associated illnesses; and addressing historical research and healthcare inequities that have contributed to detrimental knowledge gaps for this patient population.
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Clinical manifestations of COVID-19 are multiple and varied. Non-specific skin lesions have been lately described, more frequently in children and adolescents, sometimes as the only clinical symptom or in the context of the typical picture of the infection. We present the case of a 10-year-old boy with skin manifestations as the only symptom of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the epidemiological and family context of the disease. Pandemic situations increase the relevance of extending diagnostic suspicion at any kind of symptom, and to include epidemiological aspects in the diagnostic process. Prognosis in children without comorbidities is usually favourable, but particular attention should be paid to inflammatory and prothrombotic signs secondary to SARS-CoV-2.
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Clinical manifestations of COVID-19 are multiple and varied. Non-specific skin lesions have been lately described, more frequently in children and adolescents, sometimes as the only clinical symptom or in the context of the typical picture of the infection. We present the case of a 10-year-old boy with skin manifestations as the only symptom of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the epidemiological and family context of the disease. Pandemic situations increase the relevance of extending diagnostic suspicion at any kind of symptom, and to include epidemiological aspects in the diagnostic process. Prognosis in children without comorbidities is usually favourable, but particular attention should be paid to inflammatory and prothrombotic signs secondary to SARS-CoV-2.