The change in pediatric subject symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic in China

Abstract

Background: It is reported that the adverse impact of nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) on the mental health of children and adolescents may lead to psychologically related disorders during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) period. Subject symptoms such as chest pain, chest tightness, and palpitation are closely related to increased stress and anxiety in children and adolescents. The present research aimed to determine the change in pediatric consult of the symptoms onset in children during the COVID-19 period compared with before and after the COVID-19 period.Methods: Children who visited Women and Children's Hospital, Qingdao University between January 23 to April 30, 2019 (pre-COVID-19 period), January 23 to April 30, 2020 (COVID-19 period), and January 23 to April 30, 2021 (post-COVID-19 period) presenting chest pain, chest tightness, and palpitation were recruited. Information to determine gender, ages, department for the initial visit, clinical manifestations, time from the latest onset to the visit, and diagnosis were recorded.Result: A total of 891 patients were enrolled in the present study (514 males; median age: 7.72). 123 patients presented during the pre-COVID-19 period while 130 during the COVID-19 period, nevertheless, the number substantially increased during the post-COVID-19 period (n=638). There was no significant difference among groups in the distribution of organic etiology. The median time from the latest onset to the visit during the pre-COVID-19 period was 7 days compared to 10 days during the COVID-19 period and 3 days during the post-COVID period. Conclusion: The pediatric consult of children with subject symptoms presented increased substantially during the post-COVID-19 period, with a less median time from the latest onset to the visit. The major etiology of subject symptoms was shown in favor of non-organic during the three periods.