Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Child Psychiatry Hum Dev. 2024 Apr;55(2):327-335. doi: 10.1007/s10578-022-01401-z. Epub 2022 Aug 5.
The current study assessed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children with PANS/PANDAS, a condition characterized by sudden-onset obsessive-compulsive, tic, or restrictive eating symptoms following infection. We conducted an anonymous survey between February and June 2021 of 254 self-reported caregivers of minors with PANS/PANDAS. Caregivers answered questions regarding PANS/PANDAS symptoms, telehealth care, and intention to vaccinate their child against COVID-19. PANS/PANDAS symptoms during COVID-19 infections were assessed when applicable. Children's OCD symptoms and coercive behaviors towards caregivers, along with the caregivers' mental health, relationship satisfaction, and burden, were assessed using standardized questionnaires. A majority of respondents endorsed a negative impact on their child's friendships, relationships with extended family, hobbies, and academic skills due to the pandemic. Children with suspected or diagnosed COVID-19 experienced new or worsened psychiatric symptoms, particularly mood lability, OCD, and anxiety. Telehealth care was the preferred treatment modality if the child had mild symptoms of PANS/PANDAS. A majority of caregivers reported high levels of relationship dissatisfaction and caregiver burden. As expected, these data suggest an overall negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children with PANS/PANDAS and their caregivers.
本研究评估了 COVID-19 大流行对 PANS/PANDAS 儿童的影响,PANS/PANDAS 是一种病症,其特征是在感染后突然出现强迫性、抽动或限制进食症状。我们于 2021 年 2 月至 6 月期间对 254 名患有 PANS/PANDAS 的未成年人的自我报告护理人员进行了匿名调查。护理人员回答了有关 PANS/PANDAS 症状、远程医疗护理以及为孩子接种 COVID-19 疫苗的意愿的问题。在适用的情况下,评估了 COVID-19 感染期间 PANS/PANDAS 症状。使用标准化问卷评估了儿童的强迫症症状和对护理人员的强制性行为,以及护理人员的心理健康、关系满意度和负担。大多数受访者表示,由于大流行,他们孩子的友谊、与大家庭的关系、爱好和学业技能受到负面影响。患有疑似或确诊 COVID-19 的儿童出现了新的或恶化的精神症状,尤其是情绪不稳定、强迫症和焦虑。如果孩子有轻度 PANS/PANDAS 症状,则远程医疗护理是首选的治疗方式。大多数护理人员报告存在高度的关系不满意和护理人员负担。不出所料,这些数据表明 COVID-19 大流行对患有 PANS/PANDAS 的儿童及其护理人员总体上产生了负面影响。