Child and adolescent psychiatry - change in the dynamics of treatment caused by the coronavirus pandemic

Abstract

Introduction. The coronavirus pandemic caused a restructuring of mental health services, marked by a decrease of hospital work capacity and increased reliance on telemedicine. Children and adolescents are a particularly vulnerable group that has been affected by the newly arisen corona virus-19 pandemic. The objective was to evaluate the correlation between the coronavirus pandemic and alternations in hospitalization rates, seasonal distribution, and sociodemographic characteristics of patients admitted to the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Material and Methods. The study was conducted at the Psychiatry Clinic of the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University Clinical Center of Vojvodina in the period from March 6, 2017 to March 5, 2021. The sample comprised 1114 inpatients and individuals undergoing partial hospitalizations, diagnosed with mental disorders classified according to the International Classification of Diseases. Participants were categorized into two groups: one treated before the onset of the pandemic (March 2017-March 2020) and another treated during the pandemic (March 2020-March 2021). Statistical analysis was performed on the collected data, with the results presented in tables and graphs. Results. During the pandemic, an overall reduction in admissions (-32.34%) was observed, accompanied by a noticeable decrease in admissions during the spring compared to the pre-coronavirus period (p=0.011). The most prevalent diagnoses were F9 and F4, respectively (p<0.01). A higher number of hospitalizations were noted in middle adolescence (p<0.001), among females (p=0.006) and those residing in urban areas (p=0.009). Conclusion. The coronavirus pandemic led to alternations in the functioning and dynamics on Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. The sociodemographic characteristics of the youth changed during the pandemic.