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

Anyi Zhang,Han Xiao,Jie Shi,Zhe Wang,Wei Yan,Arun Ravindran,Yanping Bao,Le Shi,Zhisheng Liu,Lin Lu,Kai Yuan,Hong Mei,Jiajia Liu,Jiahui Deng

doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.759449

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.

Highlights

To date, the mental health consequences of children hospitalized with COVID-19 remain unclear
The present study [1] evaluated mental health status in children who had coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID19) and were discharged from the hospital compared with healthy children who were quarantined at home and [2] explored risk factors that were associated with mental health problems in discharged children
The household income was significantly lower in discharged children compared with healthy controls (p < 0.01)

Summary

Introduction

The mental health consequences of children hospitalized with COVID-19 remain unclear. Anxiety and depression were reported as the most prevalent psychological symptoms in children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic [11]. Few studies evaluated the prevalence of psychological symptoms including anxiety, depression, and PTSD in children who were afflicted by COVID19 and discharged from the hospital. Such studies are needed to determine appropriate support and resources. The present study [1] evaluated mental health status in children who had COVID19 and were discharged from the hospital compared with healthy children who were quarantined at home and [2] explored risk factors that were associated with mental health problems in discharged children

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Methods

Results

Conclusion