Mental Health in Children in the Context of COVID-19: Focus on Discharged Children

Abstract

Introduction: To date, the mental health consequences of children hospitalized with COVID-19 remain unclear. We aimed to assess mental health status in children in the context of COVID-19, with a focus on discharged children.Methods: We recruited discharged children who recovered from COVID-19 and healthy controls between July and September 2020 in Wuhan Children's Hospital. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and sleep problems were assessed in these children using questionnaires. Univariable and multivariable logistic and linear regressions were conducted to identify risk factors.Results: Totally, there were 152 children (61 discharged children and 91 healthy controls) aged 7–18 years old in our study. An increasing trend in the prevalence of PTSD, anxiety, and depression was observed in the discharged children compared with healthy controls (PTSD: 8.20 vs. 2.20%, anxiety: 22.95 vs. 13.19%; depression: 47.54 vs. 32.97%). Discharged children tended to report more depressive symptoms (β = 0.39) and less sleep problems (β = −0.37). Discharged children who lived in nuclear families and had longer hospital stays were more likely to report depression [odds ratio (OR) = 3.68 and 1.14, respectively]. Anxiety symptoms and the severity of sleep problems of discharged children were positively associated with caregivers' depression and PTSD symptoms (OR = 21.88 and 31.09, respectively).Conclusion: In conclusion, PTSD, anxiety, and depression symptoms were common among recovered children 4 months after COVID-19 hospitalization. Children from nuclear family and those had longer hospital stays need special attention. In addition, parental mental health had a significant impact on their children's mental resilience and recovery.

Cognitive Difficulties, Psychological Symptoms, and Long Lasting Somatic Complaints in Adolescents with Previous SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Telehealth Cross-Sectional Pilot Study

“…Over time, more attention has been paid to the psychological consequences of the SARS-CoV-2 infection. In accordance with previous data, which demonstrated an increased risk of depression in the patients recovered from COVID-19, our data show a very high of rate of anxiety and, especially, depression [ 24 , 25 , 26 ]. Of note, among our adolescents, 16.2% of the sample scored positive for suicidal or self-harm ideation.…”

“…Regarding the children and adolescents who contracted the viral infection, the data concerning the cognitive functioning and mental health are limited [ 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ]. To the best of our knowledge, only two studies have evaluated cognitive problems in children and adolescents recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection, and they did not explore the association with physical long-COVID complaints or psychological symptoms or included patients with a large age range [ 27 , 28 ].…”

SARS-CoV-2 Sequelae and Postdischarge Health Care Visits Over 5 Months Follow-up Among Children Hospitalized for COVID-19 or MIS-C

“…However, other studies have also shown depression, anxiety and other mood symptoms to be higher among postdischarge children with COVID versus healthy controls. 10,17…”

“…However, other studies have also shown depression, anxiety and other mood symptoms to be higher among postdischarge children with COVID versus healthy controls. 10,17 While our study did not include a control group of patients without COVID-19, our study did assess and report separately whether or not each of the sequelae were new diagnoses identified postdischarge (ie, not observed for the patient in the 5 months to 14-day period before the hospital admission). Even for the patients who had diagnoses for a given sequela both before and after the hospitalization, it is possible that COVID-19 exacerbated the severity or persistence of the symptom post-hospitalization; however, we are unable to assess this in medical claims data.…”

Visual supports to optimize COVID-19-related healthcare encounters for young/preschool children

“…6 Children who were hospitalized for COVID-19 were also reported to have more severe depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms than healthy controls. 7 Beyond its utility in a pandemic, caregivers would likely benefit from more age-appropriate support for their children in health care settings, as these can help reduce the stress and anxiety for the family during a new health care experience.…”