Mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and adolescents with chronic health conditions

Crowe, L.; Clarke, C.; Hearps, S.; Pugh, R.; Kilpatrick, N.; Branson, E.; Payne, J.; Haebich, K.; McCloughan, N.; Kintakas, C.; Charles, G.; Trajanovska, M.; Hsieh, I.; Hartmann, P.; King, S.; Anderson, N.; Anderson, V.

Objective: To investigate the changes in mental health and activities of children with chronic health conditions (CHC) during the pandemic. Additionally, to gather information from parents about healthcare experiences, family stressors and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design: A prospective longitudinal single site cohort study Setting: Royal Childrens Hospital, Melbourne, Australia Participants: 151 parents of children aged 1.5-17 years (M = 9.8 years, 58.3% male) with a CHC (colorectal disorder, cleft palate and neurofibromatosis type 1) completed the survey. Main outcome measures: An adapted version of the COVID-19 Wellbeing and Mental Health Survey for Children and Adolescents (Parent/Caregiver version) (CRISIS) was utilised. The CRISIS tool collects data on child activities and mental health and parent mental health prior to, and during, the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare experiences families was also examined. Parents completed the Kessler 10. Results: Compared to pre-COVID lockdown, parents reported their children were experiencing higher rates of loneliness, irritability, worry and anxiety. Parents reported that the restrictions in face-to-face contact with family and friends had been stressful for 80.0% of children. The activities of the children changed considerably during the COVID-19 pandemic with screen time increasing by 40%. Thirty percent of parents reported significant distress of their own. Parents felt telehealth were of poorer quality than face-to-face appointments. Conclusions: Children with CHC experienced a significant increase in mental health symptoms during lockdown for the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings highlight the increased need for clinical monitoring for children with CHC during periods of community stress and restrictions.