When a child is recovering from Long COVID, new problems can appear that don’t feel connected at first. One of the most challenging is Amplified Musculoskeletal Pain Syndrome (AMPS) — a condition where children experience chronic pain in their muscles, joints, or other parts of the body without any clear injury or inflammation.
After recovering from COVID-19, some children develop AMPS as part of their long COVID symptoms. The virus may disrupt the way the nervous system processes pain, leading to an overactive pain response. This means that the nerves send stronger pain signals than they should, even without a physical cause. This condition is more common in adolescent girls, but it can affect any child.
Diagnosing AMPS involves ruling out other conditions through medical history, physical exams, and sometimes tests like blood work or imaging. Since there are no specific tests for AMPS, it’s essential for healthcare providers to recognize the symptoms and understand the child’s experience.
We have noticed that AMPS is a common condition on Long COVID pediatric patients. It is also one of the conditions that causes children with Long COVID the most pain. There is emerging evidence suggesting that Amplified Musculoskeletal Pain Syndrome (AMPS) may develop in pediatric patients following COVID-19 infections, including those with Long COVID. AMPS is characterized by chronic pain in muscles and joints without any clear injury or inflammation. In children, this condition can lead to widespread pain, sensitivity to touch, and other symptoms such as headaches and fatigue.
A study published in the Journal of PLOS Digital Health identified a subphenotype of pediatric Long COVID characterized by musculoskeletal pain, affecting 13.9% of the cohort.These findings suggest that AMPS may be a secondary condition that arises after a COVID-19 infection, particularly in children who experience persistent pain and other related symptoms. The study utilized electronic health record data to identify distinct clinical presentations, or subphenotypes, of Long COVID in children. The study found that musculoskeletal pain was a significant component in one of these subphenotypes, affecting approximately 13.9% of the pediatric cohort (1).
Early recognition and appropriate management are crucial to help affected children recover and improve their quality of life.
Disclaimer: The information written on this website is designed to provide helpful information on various conditions and the subjects discussed. This website is not meant to be used to diagnose or treat any medical condition or to replace the advice of your physician(s). The author of this website does not claim to treat, diagnose or cure Long COVID, CRPS, EDS/POTS, AMPS, or any other specific condition or infection. The Spero Clinic treats the central nervous system only, often resulting in the body being able to heal itself.
You should regularly consult a physician in matters relating to your health, particularly with respect to any symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention. For diagnosis or treatment of any medical problem, consult your own physician(s).
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