Could COVID-19 cause a sudden inability to walk in children?

Reviewed by Tomas Diaz, MD

Emergency Medicine

COVID-19 can cause sudden difficulty walking in children by affecting muscle strength and nerve coordination, though such cases are rare.

Explanation

COVID-19, like other viruses, can affect children's muscles and joints, causing pain, weakness, and difficulty walking. Research shows that COVID-19 may also impact the nervous system, leading to coordination and movement problems in children (Singer et al.). In some cases, hospitalized children who develop long COVID experience persistent motor skill difficulties (Asadi-Pooya et al.). These COVID-19 complications are uncommon but possible. Nonetheless, many other conditions can also cause sudden walking difficulties and should be considered. Any child who develops trouble walking should see a healthcare provider for evaluation and treatment.

(References)

Giraudo C, Fichera G, Pilati L, Cortinovis AL, Cavallin C, Bertin S, Zuliani M, Cecchin D. COVID-19 musculoskeletal involvement in children. Front Pediatr. 2023 May 19;11:1200877. doi: 10.3389/fped.2023.1200877. PMID: 37274814; PMCID: PMC10235627.
Singer TG, Evankovich KD, Fisher K, Demmler-Harrison GJ, Risen SR. Coronavirus Infections in the Nervous System of Children: A Scoping Review Making the Case for Long-Term Neurodevelopmental Surveillance. Pediatr Neurol. 2021 Apr;117:47-63. doi: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2021.01.007. Epub 2021 Jan 29. PMID: 33676141; PMCID: PMC7988307.
Asadi-Pooya AA, Nemati M, Nemati H. 'Long COVID': Symptom persistence in children hospitalised for COVID-19. J Paediatr Child Health. 2022 Oct;58(10):1836-1840. doi: 10.1111/jpc.16120. Epub 2022 Jul 19. PMID: 35851732; PMCID: PMC9349535.

Tell your friends about us.

We would love to help them too.

For First Time Users

What is Ubie’s Doctor’s Note?

We provide a database of explanations from real doctors on a range of medical topics. Get started by exploring our library of questions and topics you want to learn more about.

Learn more about symptoms

Difficulty walking

Not sure about the cause of your current symptoms?

Try our AI-based symptom checker

With an easy 3-min questionnaire, you can get a free AI-powered report on possible causes

Tips to try:

Provide specific, detailed info about all symptoms you have.
Give accurate information about yourself including current conditions.
Answer all follow-up questions

Purpose and positioning of servicesUbie Doctor’s Note is a service for informational purposes. The provision of information by physicians, medical professionals, etc. is not a medical treatment. If medical treatment is required, please consult your doctor or medical institution. We strive to provide reliable and accurate information, but we do not guarantee the completeness of the content. If you find any errors in the information, please contact us.