Heart screenings recommended for kids who had COVID-19 before playing sports

(NATIONAL) Many kids are heading back to the classroom and back to athletic fields. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics has released specific guidelines regarding heart screenings for children who tested positive for COVID-19. 

Experts say a child's pediatrician should be notified if the child tested positive for COVID-19, and about how severe the case was. 

It is recommended that children who tested positive for COVID-19 be screened for heart conditions that can develop such as Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) or myocarditis. 

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, even children who had asymptomatic or mild cases of COVID-19  need to be screened for heart-related symptoms before starting up exercise and sports again. 

The heart screening applies to children who had asymptomatic, mild, moderate of severe cases of COVID-19 regardless of if they have symptoms of MIS-C. 

In addition, the American Academy of Pediatrics says children who had moderate cases of COVID-19 need a complete physical exam and an EKG. 

If a child had a severe case of COVID-19 or a case of MIS-C, experts say they should not participate in exercise for three to six months, and should be treated as though they have an inflamed heart muscle (myocarditis). 

For more information about COVID-19 guidelines and screenings for kids playing sports, visit this link.