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307 Post-Ebola Syndrome Presents with Distinct Clinical Phenotypes in Pediatric Ebolavirus Disease Survivors: What Are the Drivers?

Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Objectives/Goals: Despite the acknowledgment of post-Ebola syndrome (PES), young EVD survivors have received little attention. The mechanistic drivers and long-term consequences of PES and EVD early in life are unknown. We aim to define PES presentations in pediatric EVD survivors and propose potential mechanistic factors contributing to PES in young people. Methods/Study Population: Here we focus on physical health outcomes in an ongoing cohort study assessing mental and physical health in pediatric EVD survivors (age Results/Anticipated Results: 671 participants were enrolled between 2021 and 2022 (Infected: n = 226, Affected: n = 207, and Control: n = 238). Groups were similar in sex distribution (52.7%, 54.0%, and 53.8% female, respectively) and mean age, although the Infected group was slightly older (14.6 y) than the Affected (13.5 y) and Control groups (14.1 y), a difference unlikely to be clinically significant. Notably, the EVD Infected group exhibited a higher burden of symptoms, with significant findings in cardiac, MSK, ophthalmologic, and “ear, nose, and throat” systems. Principal component analysis showed differential patterns of sequelae across the groups, primarily defined by MSK. Discussion/Significance of Impact: PES is heterogeneous in pediatric EVD survivors. EVD Affected children exhibit a similar yet distinct pattern of clinical sequelae indicating ecological factors impact sequelae and raising questions about the mechanistic drivers of PES in children. Potential mechanisms include inflammation or accelerated aging and immune dysfunction.
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,200
OpenAlex ID: W4408822535
FWCI:
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