Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic Regulations on the Health Status and Medical Care of Children with Trisomy 21

Abstract

Background While children are considered at low risk for COVID-19, little is known about the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on paediatric risk patients like children with Trisomy 21 (T21). As these children often need regular therapy and various medical appointments, this study aimed to investigate the possible impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children with T21.

Patients and Methods Parents of children with T21 in the age of 0–12 years in Saxony-Anhalt were interviewed via phone in June 2021 regarding the health status and medical care of their children during the past 15 months of pandemic.

Results 37 children with mean age of 6.1 years (min 0; max 12) were included in the study. The majority did not have any additional congenital anomalies. Surveyed parents hardly reported adverse changes of health status during the pandemic, but rather improvements, such as decreased number of respiratory infections and more time spend with their children. Outpatient appointments and therapy were cancelled or postponed at the onset of the pandemic, but parents reported low impact on their child’s health and development. The main concern seemed to be lack of childcare during school and day-care closures and uncertainty concerning possible health impacts of an infection on their children.

Conclusion There was low impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health and medical care of children with T21 in our study population. Further research is needed to help weigh the child’s individual risk of infection against the need for medical treatment and therapy when dealing with paediatric risk patients.

Zusammenfassung

Hintergrund Während das Risiko für Kinder an COVID-19 zu erkranken als niedrig angesehen wird, weiß man wenig über die Auswirkungen von SARS-CoV-2 auf pädiatrische Risikopatienten mit Trisomie 21 (T21). Da diese Kinder regelmäßige Therapien und verschiedene ärztliche Sprechstundentermine benötigen, hat diese Studie zum Ziel, die möglichen Auswirkungen der COVID-19-Pandemie auf Kinder mit T21 zu untersuchen.

Patienten und Methode Eltern von Kindern mit T21 im Alter von 0–12 Jahren in Sachsen-Anhalt wurden im Juni 2021 bezüglich des Gesundheitszustands und der medizinischen Betreuung ihrer Kinder während der letzten 15 Monate der Pandemie telefonisch befragt.

Ergebnisse 37 Kinder mit einem Durchschnittsalter von 6,1 Jahren (Minimum 0; Maximum 12) wurden in die Studie aufgenommen. Die Mehrheit wies keine zusätzlichen angeborenen Anomalien auf. Die befragten Eltern berichteten kaum über negative Veränderungen des Gesundheitszustands während der Pandemie, sondern eher über Verbesserungen, wie eine geringere Anzahl von Atemwegsinfektionen und mehr Zeit, die sie mit ihren Kindern verbringen konnten. Ambulante Termine und Therapien wurden zu Beginn der Pandemie abgesagt oder verschoben, aber die Eltern berichteten über geringe Auswirkungen auf die Gesundheit und Entwicklung ihres Kindes. Die größte Sorge schien der Mangel an Kinderbetreuung während der Schließung von Schulen und Kindertagesstätten zu sein sowie die Ungewissheit über mögliche gesundheitliche Auswirkungen einer Infektion.

Schlussfolgerung Auswirkungen der COVID-19-Pandemie auf die Gesundheit und Versorgung von Kindern mit T21 in unserer Studienpopulation waren gering. Es sind weitere Untersuchungen erforderlich, um bei Risikopatienten das individuelle Infektionsrisiko gegen die Notwendigkeit einer medizinischen Behandlung abzuwägen.

Key words

Trisomy 21 - COVID-19 - pandemic - lockdown - pediatric care - health status

Schlüsselwörter

Trisomie 21 - COVID-19 - Pandemie - Lockdown - Pädiatrie - Gesundheitszustand

Publication History

Article published online:
15 September 2022

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