The impact of COVID-19 on mental health and nocturnal enuresis in children

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 and related restrictive measures on NE and children mental health comparing the prelockdown (T0) and postlockdown period (T1).METHODS: The study was carried out within our pediatric outpatient clinic in Pediatric Unit of Campus Bio-Medico University Hospital of Rome, enrolling 89 children (group 1 or G1), between 5 and 14 years, with NE and 100 children (group 2 or G2), between 3 and 16 years, without NE. Data collection was carried out by completing a questionnaire, KIDSCREEN-27, with the aim of measuring the subjective health-related quality of life in children and adolescents. The questionnaire was filled in by the parents. Data concerning NE were collected through questionnaire and interviews with parents.RESULTS: G1 and G2 are subdivided into two groups. G1 was composed of 89 enuretic children, of which 68/89 (76%) aged between 5 and 9 years (G1a) and 21/89 (24%) aged between 10 and 14 years (G1b). G2 was composed of 100 non-enuretic children, of which 55/100 (55%) aged between 3 and 9 years (G2a) and 45/100 (45%) aged between 10 and 16 years (G2b). Our study showed a worsening of NE symptoms during the postlockdown period. In fact, we observed that in G1a, NE-correlated symptoms worsened in 3/68 (4.4%) (P<0.0001) while in G1b in 2/21 (9.5%) of children (P=0.005). Moreover, comparing the enuretic children in two different time periods for several lifestyle characteristics, statistically significant differences were found in several specific areas. This study was conducted in accordance with the regulatory standards of Good Clinical Practice and the Declaration of Helsinki.CONCLUSIONS: Enuretic children have been more affected by the restrictive measures for the COVID-19 pandemic, with a worsening of quality of life and NE symptoms.