Prevalence of neuropsychiatric disorders related to long-term COVID-19 syndrome following acute SARS CoV-2 infection in pediatric patients

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Pediatric Department, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Egypt

2 Pediatric department , faculty of medicine, minia university

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus-2 is the causative agent of acute respiratory distress syndrome (COVID-19), which has led to an alarmingly high number of fatalities and cases of sickness. Children who have acute SARS-CoV-2 infections frequently show no symptoms or just moderate ones, and severe consequences practically never occur as a result of these.

Aim of the work: quantify the risks of new-onset neuropsychiatric conditions in pediatrics.

Method: a survey-based, cross-sectional, analytical, and descriptive study. Pediatric Department of Minia University, through To direct the interview's content, a semi-structured interviewer guide will be created, which will include broad and targeted questions. We included a history of microbiologically proven (nasopharyngeal swab) infections, children aged 1 month to 18 years with acute COVID-19 phase 1-6 months before study enrollment, and permission to participate from parents or guardians. We omit the patient because his family refused to participate, there was no contact information provided, or it was impossible to reach the family. Additionally, COVID-19 began more than six months ago.

Results: Eighty children were included in the study, and Neurological screening  showed that 5(6.25%)had Weakness, 7(8.75%)had Tremors, 4(5%)had 4 (5%) had seizures. Psychiatric screening showed that 6 (7.5%) had experienced little interest or pleasure in doing things, 9(11.25%)had been feeling down, sad, or hopeless, and 1(1.25%)had heard or seen things that others could not or when no one else was present.

Conclusions: Neuropsychiatric complications following a severe COVID-19 infection were especially notable in children. This may inform post-discharge support for children who have evidence of COVID-19 infection.

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