Li CJ, Yu HR, Kou KC, Chou WJ, Tsai CS, Wang LJ. Post COVID-19 condition and behavioral manifestations in Taiwanese children.
Pediatr Int 2024;
66:e15724. [PMID:
38156534 DOI:
10.1111/ped.15724]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
This study investigated the prevalence of post COVID-19 condition (PCC) in Taiwanese children, explored common symptoms and behavioral manifestations in children with PCC, and examined potential associations with parental stress and family functioning.
METHODS
A total of 116 children who had contracted COVID-19 and their parents participated. At 1 month after the confirmed COVID-19 infection (baseline), the parents were asked to complete a questionnaire about the post COVID-19 symptoms, the child behavior checklist (CBCL) based on the child's situation, also the impact event scale of COVID-19 (IES-C) and family APGAR based on the parents' own situation. Three months after the confirmed COVID-19 infection, parents were again asked to complete the same questionnaires as they did at baseline.
RESULTS
Results showed that 44.8% of the children met the criteria for PCC, with the most common symptoms being sputum/nasal congestion, tiredness and decreased concentration. Children without PCC exhibited a significant decrease in CBCL scores during the 2-month follow-up, while no such decrease was observed in children with PCC. However, no significant correlations were found between the number of post COVID-19 symptoms, behavioral manifestations, parental stress levels, and family functioning.
CONCLUSIONS
Children with PCC have a less favorable trajectory in improving their behavioral manifestations. Additionally, in the post-pandemic era, post COVID-19 symptoms in children are not necessarily correlated with parental stress and family functioning. Further research is needed to better understand the long-term implications of PCC in children and its impact on their mental well-being, as well as their families.
Collapse