Effects of COVID-19 on children with autism

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic affects all countries and populations worldwide, significantly impacting people with autism with a high risk of morbidity and mortality due to COVID-19. Approximately 25% of children with autism have an asymptomatic or symptomatic immune deficiency or dysfunction. In addition, they frequently have various comorbid conditions that increase the severity of COVID-19. In addition, severe COVID-19 during pregnancy may increase the risk of autism in the offspring. Furthermore, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 could target human nervous system tissues due to its neurotrophic effects. The COVID-19 pandemic intensely impacts many patients and families in the autism community, especially the complex management of autism-associated disorders during the complete lockdown. During the complete lockdown, children with autism had difficulties coping with the change in their routine, lack of access to special education services, limited physical space available, and problems related to food and sleep. Additionally, children with autism or intellectual disabilities are more liable to be abused by others during the pandemic when the standard community supports are no longer functioning to protect them. Early detection and vaccination of children with autism against COVID-19 are highly indicated. They should be prioritized for testing, vaccination, and proper management of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. In this review, we discuss the various effects of COVID-19 on children with autism, the difficulties they face, the increased risk of infection during pregnancy, how to alleviate the impact of COVID-19, and how to correct the inequalities in children with autism.

Telemedicine Utilization Patterns and Implications Amidst COVID-19 Outbreaks in Thailand Under Public Universal Coverage Scheme

“…In previous studies, a positive correlation was found between COVID-19 and risk of developing neurodevelopmental disorders, including schizophrenia and pervasive developmental disorders. 39 , 40 The higher use of services for depression aligns with the WHO report indicating a 25% increase in the global prevalence of anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic related to social isolation, loneliness, fear of contracting infection, loss of family members, and financial constraint. 41 …”

Examining Parental Stress and Autism in the Early Days of the Pandemic: A Mixed-Methods Study

“…Social distancing measures have led to a rise in challenging behavior among autistic children [1,7], potentially increasing the risk of injury. Injuries, in turn, may necessitate hospitalization, posing a heightened risk of virus exposure for autistic children who are more vulnerable due to frequently occurring co-occurring medical conditions [5,54,55]. Furthermore, adding to caregivers' worries about injuries and safety, specifically the preference to avoid the necessity of medical interventions during the pandemic may have been exacerbated by suboptimal past experiences with healthcare institutions which are traditionally ill-prepared to address their children's unique needs in previous medical crises [56].…”

Editing for Revision

“…The intricate interplay between viral infections and neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly Autism Spectrum Disorder(ASD), has emerged as a pivotal area of research in recent years (2). Numerous studies have suggested a connection between prenatal viral infections, including Rubella, Herpes Simplex, Herpes Zoster, Cytomegalovirus, and a heightened risk of ASD in children (11)(12)(13)(14)(15).…”

“…Commonly developing during early childhood, the etiology of ASD is believed to be multifactorial, involving a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and neurobiological factors. ASD has long been a subject of scientific inquiry, with emerging research suggesting that viral infections and subsequent viral encephalitis play a significant role in its onset (2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7). Furthermore, there is a growing body of evidence that supports an association between the resurgence of latent viral infections and recent immunization events (8)(9)(10).…”