Preliminary findings of a longitudinal follow-up study of the paediatric population and their families during and after the coronavirus pandemic and the confinement

Abstract

Introduction

Pandemic are known to generate traumatic events, such as job losses or violence [1]. Several studies have shown that epidemics and related health measures (quarantine, confinement) lead to an increase of acute stress disorders (ASD), post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD), anxiety and depression in the adult population [2]. In the pediatric population, few studies have been carried out on the psychiatric outcomes during and after epidemics and associated measures [3].

Objectives

The aim of this study was to explore ASD symptoms during stay-at-home and Covid 19 pandemic and its impact on children and adolescent mental health.

Methods

Sixty participants (53% girls and 47% boys; mean age= 9 years 5 months) were included in this longitudinal study [4]. The measures consist in an emergency semi-directed interview designed to assess symptoms of ASD according to the age of children.

Results

Patients’ age modulated psychiatric outcomes. Children under the age of six shown more developmental regressions and more restlessness than older ones. Children from 6 to 12 years were characterized by more oppositional behaviors than adolescents. Finally, adolescents were characterized by more social isolation than younger ones. Other symptoms appear to be more stable across ages: sleep disturbance, fear behavior and somatization.

Conclusions

Young children experienced more externalized symptoms (opposition and agitation) and developmental regressions than older children [5]. Thus, it appears necessary during pandemic to take into account the psychiatric consequences of confinement to reduce psychosocial long-term outcomes in particular in younger patients who appeared to develop specific and age-related psychiatric disorders.