Impacts of COVID-19 on children and adolescents: A systematic review analyzing its psychiatric effects

• Published in: World journal of psychiatry Vol. 12; no. 11; pp. 1313 - 1322
• Main Authors: Gabriel, Italo Wanderson de Moura, Lima, Danielly Gonçalves Sombra, Pires, Jeully Pereira, Vieira, Nélio Barreto, Brasil, Aloisio Antonio Gomes de Matos, Pereira, Yara Talita Gomes, Oliveira, Erika Galvao de, Menezes, Hildson Leandro de, Lima, Nadia Nara Rolim, Reis, Alberto Olavo Advíncula, Alves, Ruan Neto Pereira, Silva, Uanderson Pereira da, Gonçalves Junior, Jucier, Rolim-Neto, Modesto Leite
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Baishideng Publishing Group Inc 19-11-2022
• Subjects: Minireviews
• ISSN: 2220-3206; 2220-3206
• DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v12.i11.1313

OBJECTIVETo summarize the most relevant data from a systematic review on the impact of COVID-19 on children and adolescents, particularly analyzing its psychiatric effects. METHODSThis review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and included experimental studies (randomized-individually or pooled-and non-randomized controlled trials), observational studies with a group for internal comparison (cohort studies-prospective and retrospective-and case-control) and qualitative studies in the period from 2021 to 2022. RESULTSThe search identified 325 articles; we removed 125 duplicates. We selected 200 manuscripts, chosen by title and selected abstracts. We excluded 50 records after screening titles and abstracts, as they did not meet the inclusion criteria. We retrieved 150 records selected for a full reading. We excluded 90 text articles and we selected 25 records for the (n) final. Limitations: Due to the short period of data collection, from 2021 to 2022, there is a possibility of lack of relevant studies related to the mental health care of children and adolescents. In addition, there is the possibility of publication bias, such as only significant findings being published. CONCLUSIONThe impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of children and adolescents is of great concern to child and youth psychiatry. Situations such as fear, anxiety, panic, depression, sleep and appetite disorders, as well as impairment in social interactions caused by psychic stress, are punctual markers of pain and psychic suffering, which have increasing impacts on the mental health panorama of children and adolescents globally, particularly in vulnerable and socially at-risk populations.