THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL ISOLATION DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON THE CLINICAL AND MENTAL PROFILE OF CHILDREN TREATED AT A SCHOOL OUTPATIENT CLINIC

Resumen

In December 2019, a new coronavirus-SARS-CoV-2 was detected in the city of Wuhan, China. On January 30, 2020, the United Nations declared COVID-19 an international public health emergency. Epidemiological and social measures, including the closure of schools and non-essential services, were implemented to prevent the spread of the virus. Those measures changed the daily routines of many people around the world. Despite their efficacy in containing the pandemic, they created risk factors for children's physical and mental health. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of social isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on the clinical and mental profile of children treated in school outpatient clinics. METHODS: This is an observational, individual, cross-sectional, analytical, and descriptive study. A questionnaire was administered to those responsible for the children seen at the school outpatient clinic in the preschool and school-age groups about their clinical and mental health conditions. RESULTS: The questionnaire was applied to 60 volunteers, and the nutritional assessment (BMI) revealed that 70% of the children were considered eutrophic, followed by 16.67% as obese and 10% as overweight. Additionally, 86.67% of children reduced their physical activity during isolation. Regarding sleep, 86.67% showed changes, and 86.66% had increased screen time. Children with increased screen time also had changes in their sleep. Morbidities corresponded to 54.23%; delays in vaccination represented 56%; and loss of follow-up in health services reached 95%. Changes in behavior were 68.33%, followed by mood at 71.67%, and changes in interpersonal relationships at 50%. DISCUSSION: Our study reveals a decrease in physical activity, an increase in sedentary lifestyle and an increase in screen time, which are risk factors for weight gain in children. There was an increase in sleep changes associated with increased screen time, which can affect children's physical and mental development. The COVID-19 pandemic and social isolation have caused changes in children's lives, limiting social activities and interactions, increasing psychosocial stress and psychological distress, and possibly leading to damaging effects on mental health. In our study, children demonstrated changes related to behavior, mood, and interpersonal relationships. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic and social isolation have changed children's daily lives and limited many activities, causing impacts on physical and mental health. Children are in a gradual process of physical and mental development. Lack of energy expenditure, increased screen time, sedentary lifestyle, and sleep disorders can affect physical health and lead to changes in physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development, in addition to being considered risk factors for weight gain in children. In the context of this pandemic, the increase in psychosocial stress and consequent psychological suffering in children has created conditions for the emergence of psycho-emotional changes and psychological disorders. In addition to the closure of several social and health services associated with delayed vaccinations, the physical and mental health of the pediatric population is compromised.