Impaired Treg Response and Subclinical Cardiac Dysfunction in Children Following SARS-CoV-2 Infection

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal 2026 Open access

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Authors: Costanza Di Chiara, Anna Cantarutti, Jolanda Sabatino, Domenico Sirico, Francesco Bonfante, Marthe Le Prevost, Danilo Buonsenso, Emma Concetta Manno, Francesco Carmona, Daniele Donà, Anita De Rossi, Giovanni Di Salvo
+2 more Maria Raffaella Petrara, Carlo Giaquinto
DOI: 10.1097/inf.0000000000005192
Cited by: 1
References: 10

Abstract

In a preliminary cohort of children recovering from asymptomatic or mild coronavirus disease 2019, subclinical cardiac contractility alterations were associated with reduced regulatory T cells, shorter telomeres and elevated inflammatory markers 3 months post-infection. These findings suggest that immune dysregulation may contribute to silent post-coronavirus disease 2019 cardiac dysfunction and warrant confirmation in larger cohorts with long-term follow-up.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Cardiac Fibrosis and Remodeling Immune responses and vaccinations Long-Term Effects of COVID-19

Publication details

Journal / source
The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
Publisher
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Volume
45
Issue
7
Pages
e246–e248
Publication date
26 February 2026
Language
EN