The Psychosocial Effects of Post Acute Sequelae of Covid-19 in Pediatric Patients

Research Objectives: To investigate the psychosocial effects of Post Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 in pediatric patients and their families.

Design: Researcher conducted a retrospective review of psychosocial assessments completed by a social worker in a specific pediatric PASC clinic in the northeastern region of the United States. Researcher conducted a chart review of standardized assessments to measure incidence of anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, substance use, financial concerns amongst the family, insurance concerns amongst the family, education struggles for patient, and safety concerns.

Setting: The study was a retrospective review of psychosocial assessments done in an outpatient Long COVID clinic houses in an infectious disease department at a large children's hospital in the northeast.

Participants: The study consists of 109 psychosocial assessments conducted on pediatric patients in the clinic. The ages of participants ranged from 3 years old to 20 years old. There were 39 males and 70 females. The average age of participants was 14.04 years old.

Interventions: A chart review of psychosocial assessments was conducted with each new patient who did an intake appointment with the Long COVID clinic.

Main Outcome Measures: Researcher conducted a review of a standardized assessment to measure incidence of anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, substance use, financial concerns amongst the family, insurance concerns amongst the family, education struggles for patient, and safety concerns.

Results: The most common psychosocial impact on pediatric patients with PASC is educational challenges, including the need for accommodations through a formal 504 plan or IEP. Additionally, more than half the patients required a referral for outpatient mental health supports such as a therapist. While financial or insurance struggles were not always explicitly endorsed, most parents verbally reported some disruptions to their work schedule due to caring for their child with PASC

Conclusions: The impact of Post Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 on pediatric patients and their families goes beyond physical and medical implications. However, further comprehensive research is needed to measure the magnitude of psychosocial impacts on children suffering from PASC and their families.

Author(s) Disclosures: Author has no disclosures.