Parkview opens post-COVID clinic for kids

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) - Parkview Health is opening a clinic to treat children who have long-term symptoms after being infected with COVID-19, otherwise known as “long-haulers”.

In a release sent Thursday, Parkview says the Pediatric Post-COVID Long-Hauler Clinic was created by Parkview Physicians Group - Pediatric Infectious Diseases to give specialized support for kids dealing with chronic symptoms of COVID-19. The new clinic opened in December and is already seeing patients via referral, Parkview says.

In March, the hospital opened a post-COVID clinic for adults, with the new clinic focusing on care for kids.

Parkview says the goal of the new clinic is to restore patients to their pre-COVID function. They say the clinic will offer care from several pediatric subspecialties: infectious diseases, pulmonology, cardiology, pharmacy, physical therapy, and others if needed. Patients will also have support from a nurse navigator.

“We found that children with post-COVID symptoms were often needing to see multiple pediatric subspecialists. By opening a long-hauler clinic, we can better coordinate their care,” Parkview Physicians Group - Pediatric Infectious Diseases MD Robyn Schmucker said. “Initial testing is completed in the first visit, allowing us to create an individualized treatment plan. Even with effective treatment, it can take months for symptoms to resolve, so we like to assess patients as soon as possible.”

According to Parkview officials, the most common long-hauler symptoms for kids include headache, fatigue, brain fog, and abdominal pain. Many also present with symptoms of depression due to the impact their symptoms have had on their lives.

To qualify for referral to the new clinic, patients must be under the age of 18, have a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis, and be at least four weeks post-diagnosis with lingering symptoms, Parkview says. For more information or to request a referral, Parkview says to contact your pediatrician or primary care provider.