Long Covid linked to rising anxiety and depression in children

Long Covid linked to rising anxiety and depression in children

A new study from the Kennedy Krieger Institute draws attention to an emerging mental health crisis among children with long Covid. The researchers found that almost 40% of pediatric patients with long Covid reported experiencing significant symptoms of anxiety or depression.

The study included 139 patients evaluated at Kennedy Krieger's Pediatric Rehabilitation Clinic using the Cowid 19-199-199-199-199-199-199-199-19 ampilant. Clinicians used mental health screening surveys to assess patient-reported symptoms. Screenings also included measures of key aspects of quality of life, including: physical functioning, emotional functioning, social functioning, and school functioning. More than 1 in 3 children reported having increased symptoms of anxiety or depression (ie, worry, sleep problems, and mood irritability).

Dr. Laura Malone, director of the clinic and co-investigator in this research, said half of these children had no previous mental health problems or diagnosis.

Long Covid is a complex condition. We are seeing children and teenagers who were well before their Covid infection now struggling to attend school, socialize or even enjoy basic activities. “

Dr. Laura Malone, Director of Kennedy Krieger's Post-Covid Pediatric Rehabilitation Clinic

Key findings include:

• 1 von 4 Kindern hatten neue Angstsymptome, und 1 von 7 hatte trotz neuer depressiver Symptome Keine vorherige Diagnose-Ein Zeichen Long Covid löst neue Herausforderungen für psychische Gesundheit aus.
• Im Durchschnitt berichteten Kinder über eine Lebensqualität, die Gleichaltrigen mit Krebs oder Mukoviszidose ähnelte und die schwerwiegenden funktionellen Auswirkungen der Erkrankung unterstreicht.
• Der stärkste Prädiktor für schlechte Lebensqualität war ein „Gefühl der Ineffektivität“, als würde man sich nicht in der Lage fühlen, im Leben erfolgreich zu sein oder Aktivitäten zu genießen.

“These children are losing confidence in themselves and their ability to participate in daily life,” said Dr. Malone. "This loss of function can be just as devastating as the physical symptoms. It is important to identify and treat both quality of life for children with long Covid."

While previous studies have hinted at Long Covid mental health, this is one of the first to use standardized, validated measures of mental health problems in a pediatric Long Covid population. The study also warns that traditional screening tools may not capture the whole picture, as the physical symptoms of long Covid (such as fatigue or dizziness) may overlap with those of anxiety or depression.

Kennedy Krieger researchers urge health care providers to integrate routine mental health screening into the care of children with Long Covid. Early identification could mean quicker access to the right interventions, helping children recover faster.

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