A new study from the Kennedy Krieger Institute reveals a concerning link between long COVID and increasing rates of anxiety and depression among children. Researchers found that nearly 40% of young patients with long COVID experienced significant mental health symptoms.
The study evaluated 139 children at Kennedy Krieger’s Pediatric Post-COVID-19 Rehabilitation Clinic using standardized mental health surveys. These assessments measured emotional well-being, physical and social functioning, and school performance. More than one in three children reported symptoms such as excessive worry, trouble sleeping, and mood swings.
Dr. Laura Malone, the clinic’s director and co-investigator, noted that about half of the affected children had no history of mental health issues, suggesting long COVID may be triggering new emotional challenges.
Key Findings:
- 1 in 4 children developed new anxiety symptoms.
- 1 in 7 reported new symptoms of depression.
- Many children showed a quality of life similar to those living with cancer or cystic fibrosis.
- The most significant predictor of poor well-being was a child’s “sense of ineffectiveness”—feeling unable to succeed or enjoy daily life.
“These children are losing confidence in themselves and their ability to participate in daily life,” said Dr. Malone. “The emotional effects can be just as debilitating as the physical symptoms.”
While earlier research has pointed to long COVID’s mental health impact, this study is one of the first to use validated screening tools in children. It also cautions that long COVID’s physical symptoms, like fatigue or dizziness, may be mistaken for—or mask—mental health issues.
The researchers urge healthcare providers to routinely screen children with long COVID for emotional and psychological concerns. Early detection, they say, could lead to quicker and more effective treatment, helping children get back on track both physically and emotionally.
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