Children Of Healthcare Workers Research Articles

Social-emotional and behavioural problems in young children of healthcare worker mothers during the COVID-19 outbreak: a case-control study

BackgroundThe pandemic has had a significant impact on the daily lives of children and their families, particularly the children of health care workers, due to changes in family routines as a result of their parents’ work schedules. We aimed to explore the socioemotional and behavioural (SEB) problems of children of healthcare worker mothers (HCWM) during the COVID-19 pandemic and compare them with age-matched children and their mothers from other occupations.MethodA case-control study design was applied, and a snowball approach was used to enrol volunteered participants aged between 6 and 36 months of age, through a Google survey. We used the Brief Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment (BITSEA) questionnaire to assess children’s SEB problems and a Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) to evaluate the psychological distress of mothers. Differences in BITSEA, BSI and MSPSS scores were examined using chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests, as appropriate. A logistic regression model was used to identify independent predictors of children’s behavioural and emotional problems.ResultsIn total, 600 questionnaires were analysed. It was observed that children in the HCWM group were separated from their mothers more often and for longer periods of time than their counterparts (p < 0.010, p = 0.002). Changes in the child’s structured outdoor activities during the pandemic period were more likely to be observed in the HCWM group (p < 0.05). The percentage of children with the BITSEA problem subscale above the subclinical cut-off, externalizing and dysregulation scores were significantly higher in the HCWM group (p = 0.044, p = 0.031, and p = 0.016). Moreover, each point increase in BSI global index scores (p < 0.001, RR:3.34, 95%CI:1.91–5.82) was found as a risk factor for clinically significant SEB problems.ConclusionOverall, the current study suggests HCWM’s have experienced occupational inequality, and young children of HCWM’s were at increased risk for externalizing and dysregulation problems during the pandemic. Maternal psychological stress had a significant impact on their children’s socio-emotional well-being.

Alternative care takers for children of health care workers during COVID-19 pandemic in Kashmir valley: a cross sectional study

Background: COVID-19 pandemic forced health care workers to seek alternatives of child care due to strong standard operating procedures (SOPs). Informal child care workers include patrilineal, matrilineal, immediate family members, neighbours, friends and housemaids. The present study tried to explore and highlight the role of Informal child care workers in alternative spaces. Methods: The present study aimed to reveal new facts about COVD-19 pandemic, its implications in relation to the alternative child care spaces available to the children of health workers in the valley of Kashmir. Total sample size constituted 100 respondents including doctors, Para medicals and other supportive staff chosen through snowball sampling technique. For data collection, a structured questionnaire was constructed and sent to respondents through different social media platforms like Facebook, e-mail ids and WhatsApp. Results: In the study majority of dual career families especially health workers working as frontline COVID warriors in the valley of Kashmir reported that their children were taken care either by alternative care takers mostly patrilocal or matrilocal family members. Conclusions: The study reveals that dual career families of Kashmir prefer largely female members as alternative care takers as compared to male members. The immediate family members are the most preferable choice of Alternative care followed by housemaids.

Experiences and views of frontline healthcare workers’ family members in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study

ABSTRACT Background The COVID-19 pandemic has had a well-documented negative impact on the mental health and wellbeing of frontline healthcare workers (HCWs). Whilst no research has to date been carried out to explore the challenges experienced by the families of HCWs, some previous research has been conducted with military families, demonstrating that family members of deployed military personnel may also be affected seriously and negatively. Objectives This study aimed to explore the experiences, views, and mental health impact on frontline HCWs’ families during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK and what support the families of frontline HCWs may need. Method Close family members and friends of HCWs were interviewed. Transcripts were analysed in line with the principles of reflexive thematic analysis. Results We completed fourteen interviews with three siblings, one mother, one friend, and nine spouses of HCWs. Family members were highly motivated to support healthcare workers and felt an intense sense of pride in their work. However, they also experienced increased domestic responsibilities and emotional burden due to anxiety about their loved ones’ work. The fact that sacrifices made by family members were not noticed by society, the anxiety they felt about their family’s physical health, the impact of hearing about traumatic experiences, and the failure of healthcare organisations to meet the needs of the HCWs all negatively affected the family members. Conclusions We have an ethical responsibility to attend to the experiences and needs of the families of healthcare professionals. This study emphasises the experiences and needs of family members of healthcare professionals, which have hitherto been missing from the literature. Further research is needed to hear from more parents, siblings and friends, partners in same sex relationships, as well as children of HCWs, to explore the variety of family members and supporters’ experiences more fully. HIGHLIGHTS • COVID19 has impacted families of HCWs as well as workers themselves. They have experienced more anxiety, increased practical burden, significant physical health risks and been exposed vicariously to workers’ traumatic experiences. We must ensure HCW families are better supported

39.5 Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Sleep Behavior of Children of Frontline Workers Over Time

Cross-sectional studies have demonstrated that the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the sleep of youth. The pandemic has also had a heightened impact on the psychological well-being of healthcare workers, yet the effects of the pandemic on the children of healthcare workers needs further study. We surveyed staff and students at a University Hospital in Brooklyn, New York about their children’s sleep habits on 2 occasions during the pandemic, allowing us to assess changes in sleep with the pandemic’s changing conditions.

Long-Term Persistence of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in a Pediatric Population.

Background: Antibody dynamics over time after SARS-CoV-2 infection are still unclear, and data regarding children are scarce. Methods: A prospective cohort study was performed including children infected by SARS-CoV-2 between March and May 2020. Patients were categorized into 3 groups: children admitted with COVID-19; outpatient children with mild COVID-19; and seropositive children participating in a seroprevalence study among cohabitants of infected healthcare workers (HCWs). Six months after the infection, a new serological control was performed. Results: A total of 58 children were included, 50% male (median age 8.3 [IQR 2.8–13.5] years). The median time between the two serological studies was 186 (IQR 176–192) days, and 86% (48/56) of the children maintained positive IgG six months after the infection. This percentage was 100% in admitted patients and 78% among the rest of the included children (p = 0.022). The diagnoses of lower respiratory tract infection and multisystemic inflammatory syndrome were associated with persistence of IgG (p = 0.035). The children of HCWs in the seroprevalence study lost antibodies more often (p = 0.017). Initial IgG titers of the children who remained positive six months after the infection were significantly higher (p = 0.008). Conclusions: Most children infected by SARS-CoV-2 maintain a positive serological response six months after the infection. Those children who lost their IgG titer were more frequently asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic, presenting with low antibody titers after the infection.

Anxiety Levels and Sleep Disturbance in Children of Healthcare Workers with COVID-19

Anxiety Levels and Sleep Disturbance in Children of Healthcare Workers with COVID-19

High Rates of SARS-CoV-2 Family Transmission in Children of Healthcare Workers During the First Pandemic Wave in Madrid, Spain: Serologic Study.

Data on SARS-CoV-2 transmission among children living with healthcare workers (HCWs) are scarce. A cross-sectional study was performed at a tertiary Hospital in Madrid, including children of HCW who suffered from SARS-CoV-2 infection between March and May 2020. Children underwent enzyme-linked immunosorbent serological study for detecting SARS-CoV-2 antibodies: VIRCELL IgG assay. One hundred thirteen children from 69 HCWs with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were recruited: 47 children had positive IgG (41.6%). Children secondary attack rate was 43.7% (25% if both parents have had asymptomatic infection; 39.5% if one parent was symptomatic; and 47% when both parents had symptoms). Having a positive sibling was associated with a positive IgG result (odds ratio = 12.2; 95% confidence interval: 4.4-33.7, P < 0.001). Median age was higher in IgG positive children (P = 0.022). Children who referred anosmia presented higher IgG titles (P < 0.04). We observed a very high SARS-CoV-2 transmission in children of HCW during the first pandemic wave, especially when both parents were symptomatic. Having a positive sibling was associated with seroconversion, supporting the important role of family clusters in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

Secondary Attack Rate and Family Clustering of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Infection in Children of Healthcare Workers With Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

We measured serum SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in 215 children of healthcare workers to estimate secondary attack rates (SAR). Twenty-one families had a parent with confirmed COVID-19. There was strong evidence of family clustering (P<0.001): 20/21 (95.2%) children were seropositive in 9 families and none of 23 children in 12 other families.

COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 Seropositivity in Children of Healthcare Workers in London

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic in the UK began in late January 2020 and peaked in mid-April before declining. Children typically develop only very mild symptoms and it remains unclear what role children play in the spread of COVID-19. The aim of this study was to report the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in healthy children of healthcare workers. Methods: Healthy children of healthcare workers, were recruited in London during May 2020. Participants had nose and throat swabs tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection via RT-qPCR and blood serums samples for SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies. Findings: A total of 215 children from 126 families took part and 25(12%) were seropositive for SARS-CoV-2. Children of clinical healthcare workers were significantly more likely to be seropositive 23/133(17%) than those of non-clinical healthcare workers 2/83(2%); p=0.001.In children of parents with confirmed COVID-19, seropositivity was 19/47(40%) compared to 3/44(7%) in children of parents with suspected COVID-19 and 3/124(2%) in children of asymptomatic parents (pInterpretation: The secondary attack rate in children of healthcare workers with confirmed COVID-19 was 40% compared to 2% of children in families with no reported symptoms. One in three seropositive children were asymptomatic.Trial Registration: NCT0434740Funding Statement: This study was funded by the Public Health Agency [COM/5596/20].Declaration of Interests: None disclosed.Ethics Approval Statement: The London (Chelsea) research ethics committee reviewed the study protocol and provided a favourable outcome (Project ID 282617, OREC ID 20/HRA/1731).

The Comparison of Staphylococcus aureus Nasal Colonization and Its Antibiotic Resistance Patterns in Children of Health Care Workers (HCWs) and Non-HCWs

Background: Staphylococcus aureus is a gram-positive coccus bacterium responsible for a wide spectrum of human infections. The main colonization site for S. aureus in humans is the anterior nares. Health care workers (HCW) are commonly colonized with resistant microorganisms; however, it is not clear whether close contact with HCW is a risk factor for colonization with resistant microorganisms. Objectives: The aim of the study was the determination of the risk of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus transmission from colonized parents to their children via daily contact. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Hamadan city, the west of Iran, between October 2016 and March 2017. We defined two groups for our investigation. The first group included 1 - 6 years old children who their mother, father, or both were health care workers (HCW) in university-affiliated hospitals of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, and the second group consisted of children whose parents were not health care workers. Both groups attended day care centers. One hundred and thirty-four children were enrolled in this study, from which 67 had HCW parents, and 67 had non-HCW parents. Results: S. aureus colonization rate among children of HCWs was 17.9 % (12/67), and in children of non-HCWS was 32.8% (22/67). The colonization rate was not significantly different between these 2 groups (P = 0.052). Of all the S. aureus isolates, one methicillin-resistant isolate and one clindamycin-resistant isolate were observed. The D-test was positive in 12.1% of clindamycin sensitive isolates Conclusions: We recommend the use of anti-staphylococcal penicillin or first-generation cephalosporins in cases of non-life-threatening staphylococcal infections and clindamycin for MRSA infections. Regarding to our results, there is no difference in the choice of antibiotic between children of health care workers and other children. We also recommend avoiding switching therapy from erythromycin to clindamycin.

An outbreak of acute hemorrhagic papules on the posterior neck in children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Within a two-week timespan in April 2020, multiple children presented with hemorrhagic macules, papules, and erosions localized to the posterior neck and occipital scalp. All of these patients were children of health care workers, with at least one confirmed COVID-19 exposure. The unique lesional morphology and the timing of onset led to SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing for all and biopsy of one child. Biopsy ultimately confirmed these lesions were consistent with arthropod bites, which coincided with an unprecedented surge in local populations of Simulium tuberosum, a biting gnat.

Emotional and behavioural dysregulation in children of health care workers in the frontline of COVID-19 response in Sri Lanka

The Sri Lanka Journal of Psychiatry (SLJP) is a peer-reviewed, open access journal published bi annually by the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists.The Journal publishes original papers, brief reports including case reports and commentaries relevant to psychiatry and allied sciences. The Sri Lanka Journal of Psychiatry is committed to maintaining and conforming to the editorial and ethical standards recommended by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors.Cover: Doorways: When one is ill, having somewhere to stay, where one is looked after, is usually a relief to the patient who is not well and his/her family. The picture shows the doorway to what remains of an ancient hospital in Mihintale, said to date back two millennia. Thilini Rajapakse, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.