COVID-19 Pandemic Effects on Adolescent Neuropsychiatric Patients in Emergency Department

Objective: Italy was the first country affected in Europe by the new coronavirus disease pandemic, so a national lockdown was set up. Side effects were anxiety, discomfort and social pressure, among others. This study analyses the characteristics of adolescent who required emergency help for neuropsychiatric disorders in the year before and after lockdown beginning. Methods: Data were collected from 1428 patients aged 12-18 years who enter the Emergency Department with a diagnosis of neuropsychiatric disorders in a pediatric tertiary Hospital in Rome, between March 2019 and March 2021.Results: History of previous neuropsychiatric episodes (p<0.001) and comorbidities (p=0.003) were more frequent in the pre-covid era. During post-lockdown, onset time of acute symptoms was longer (p<0.001) and number of hospitalizations was higher (p<0.001) but their length was the same. Psychomotor agitation was less frequent during post-lockdown period (p<0.001); there was a reduction in hetero-aggressiveness (p=0.005) but increment in suicidal ideation (p=0.002) and suicide attempt (p<0.001).Conclusion: Rates of suicide ideation and attempts were higher during some months but admission for psychomotor agitation was reduced after lockdown, probably due to protective factors, like anxiety reduction referred to school performances and the major presence of parents at home. First lockdown forced children and parents at home; second lockdown left children lonely for most of the day. Patients waited longer before going to the emergency room in the post-lockdown phase, probably because the media focus on pandemic and the fear of contagion in hospital. Breaks in schooling can lead to educational inequalities over time.