Our previous study in children and young people (CYP) at 3- and 6-months post-infection showed that 12-16% of those infected with the Omicron (B.1.1.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Mental health difficulties are common in children and young people with chronic health conditions, but many of those in need do not access evidence-based psychological treatments. The study aim was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of integrated mental health treatment for children and young people with epilepsy, a common chronic health condition known to be associated with a particularly high rate of co-occurring mental health difficulties.
Methods: We conducted a parallel group, multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled trial of participants aged 3-18 years, attending epilepsy clinics across England and Northern Ireland who met diagnostic criteria for a common mental health disorder.
Purpose: Loneliness is common amongst children and young people (CYP) and is an independent risk factor for poor health. This study aimed to i) determine whether subgroups of CYP with different loneliness trajectories (during the second year of the pandemic) exist; ii) examine associations with socio-demographic characteristics and subsequent health; and iii) understand whether associations between loneliness and subsequent health were modified by SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Methods: A total of 5851 CYP (N=3260 SARS-CoV-2 positive and 2591 SARS-CoV-2 negative) provided data on loneliness (via the validated 3-item version of the UCLA Loneliness Scale for Children) at least twice in a 12-month period post PCR index-testing (conducted October 2020-March 2021).
Background: Although 99% of children and young people have been exposed to SARS-CoV-2, the long-term prevalence of post-COVID-19 symptoms in young people is unclear. The aim of this study is to describe symptom profiles 12 months after SARS-CoV-2 testing.
Method: A matched cohort study of a national sample of 20,202 children and young people who took a SARS-CoV-2 PCR test between September 2020 and March 2021.
To describe the prevalence of long COVID in children infected for the first time (n = 332) or reinfected (n = 243) with Omicron compared with test-negative children (n = 311). Overall, 12%-16% of those infected with Omicron met the research definition of long COVID at 3 and 6 months after infection, with no evidence of difference between cases of first positive and reinfected (P = 0.17).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Children and young people with long-term physical health conditions (LTC) are known to have higher levels of co-morbid mental health problems than medically healthy children. Evidence-based treatments for mental health problems are effective in children who also have an LTC. This study aimed to explore the factors associated with participants' perceived acceptability and impact of a transdiagnostic mental health centre offering brief psychological assessment and treatment for children and young people and/or their families with mental health needs in the context of long term physical conditions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Mental and physical health treatment should be delivered together for children and young people with epilepsy. Training healthcare professionals (HCPs) in epilepsy services to deliver mental health interventions is an important way to facilitate integrated care.
Objective: To determine the feasibility of remotely delivered assessment and psychological treatment for mental health difficulties delivered by HCPs in pediatric epilepsy clinics with limited formal training in psychological interventions.
Background: Children and young people with long-term physical conditions have significantly elevated mental health needs. Transdiagnostic, brief psychological interventions have the potential to increase access to evidence-based psychological treatments for patients who attend health services primarily for physical health needs.
Objective: A non-randomised study was conducted to assess the impact of brief, transdiagnostic psychological interventions in children and young people presenting at a drop-in mental health centre in the reception area of a paediatric hospital.