A new study from the Kennedy Krieger Institute reveals that nearly 40% of children with long COVID are experiencing significant symptoms of anxiety or depression. Using validated mental health screening tools, researchers found that one in four children had new anxiety symptoms and one in seven had new depressive symptoms, despite no prior mental health history.
These children reported a quality of life comparable to peers with serious illnesses like cancer or cystic fibrosis, but often expressed feelings of ineffectiveness and loss of confidence. The study underscores the urgent need for integrated mental health screening and early intervention in pediatric long COVID care.
The findings highlight a critical issue in caring for children with long COVID: many are struggling with anxiety and depression due to the condition’s impact on their daily lives. A child’s sense of ineffectiveness is the strongest predictor of poor life quality, according to the study’s lead researcher.
To address this crisis, healthcare providers must integrate routine mental health screening into care for children with long COVID. Early identification and intervention can help kids recover more quickly by addressing both physical and mental symptoms.
Source: https://neurosciencenews.com/long-covid-child-mental-health-29102