Journal article
Risk of neuropsychiatric and related conditions associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection: a difference-in-differences analysis
Nature communications, Vol.16(1), 6829
07/24/2025
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-61961-1
PMCID: PMC12290120
PMID: 40707478
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with increased neuropsychiatric conditions in children and youths, with evidence suggesting that SARS-CoV-2 infection may contribute additional risks beyond pandemic stressors. This study aims to assess the full spectrum of neuropsychiatric conditions in COVID-19 positive children (ages 5-12) and youths (ages 12-20) compared to a matched COVID-19 negative cohort, accounting for factors influencing infection risk. Using EHR data from 25 institutions in the RECOVER program, we conduct a retrospective analysis of 326,074 COVID-19 positive and 887,314 negative participants matched for risk factors and stratified by age. Neuropsychiatric outcomes are examined 28 to 179 days post-infection or negative test between March 2020 and December 2022. SARS-CoV-2 positivity is confirmed via PCR, serology, or antigen tests, while negativity requires negative test results and no related diagnoses. Risk differences reveal higher frequencies of neuropsychiatric conditions in the COVID-19 positive cohort. Children face increased risks for anxiety, OCD, ADHD, autism, and other conditions, while youths exhibit elevated risks for anxiety, suicidality, depression, and related symptoms. These findings highlight SARS-CoV-2 infection as a potential contributor to neuropsychiatric risks, emphasizing the importance of research into tailored treatments and preventive strategies for affected individuals.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Risk of neuropsychiatric and related conditions associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection: a difference-in-differences analysis
- Creators
- Yiwen Lu - University of PennsylvaniaJiayi Tong - University of PennsylvaniaDazheng Zhang - University of PennsylvaniaJiajie Chen - University of PennsylvaniaLu Li - University of PennsylvaniaYuqing Lei - University of PennsylvaniaTing Zhou - University of PennsylvaniaLeyna V Aragon - University of New MexicoMichael J Becich - University of PittsburghSaul Blecker - New York UniversityNathan J Blum - Children's Hospital of PhiladelphiaDimitri A Christakis - Seattle Children's HospitalMady Hornig - Feinstein Institute for Medical ResearchMaxwell M Hornig-Rohan - RECOVER Patient, Caregiver, or Community Advocate Representative, New York, NY, USARavi Jhaveri - Lurie Children's HospitalW Schuyler Jones - Duke University Health SystemAmber Brown Keebler - University of Nebraska Medical CenterKelly Kelleher - Nationwide Children's HospitalSusan Kim - University of California, San FranciscoAbu Saleh Mohammad Mosa - University of Alabama at BirminghamKathleen Pajer - Children's Hospital of Eastern OntarioJonathan Platt - University of IowaHayden T Schwenk - Stanford MedicineBradley W Taylor - Medical College of WisconsinLevon H Utidjian - Children's Hospital of PhiladelphiaDavid A Williams - University of MichiganRaghuram Prasad - Children's Hospital of PhiladelphiaJosephine Elia - Nemours Children's Health SystemChristopher B Forrest - Children's Hospital of PhiladelphiaYong Chen - University of Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Nature communications, Vol.16(1), 6829
- DOI
- 10.1038/s41467-025-61961-1
- PMID
- 40707478
- PMCID
- PMC12290120
- NLM abbreviation
- Nat Commun
- ISSN
- 2041-1723
- eISSN
- 2041-1723
- Publisher
- NATURE PORTFOLIO
- Grant note
- NIH Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery (RECOVER) InitiativeNational Institutes of Health: OT2HL161847-01, U01TR003709, U24MH136069, RF1AG077820, R01AG073435, R56AG074604, R01LM013519, 1R01LM014344, R01DK128237, R21AI167418, R21EY034179
This study is part of the NIH Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery (RECOVER) Initiative, which seeks to understand, treat, and prevent the post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC). For more information on RECOVER, visit https://recoverCOVID.org/. Y.C.'s effort has been supported in part by National Institutes of Health (OT2HL161847-01, U01TR003709, U24MH136069, RF1AG077820, R01AG073435, R56AG074604, R01LM013519, 1R01LM014344, R01DK128237, R21AI167418, R21EY034179). We would like to thank the National Community Engagement Group (NCEG), all patient, caregivers and community representatives, and all the participants enrolled in the RECOVER Initiative. A special thanks to patient representatives Nick Guthe and Etienne Carignan for their helpful comments and suggestions.
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 07/24/2025
- Academic Unit
- Epidemiology; Center for Social Science Innovation; Injury Prevention Research Center
- Record Identifier
- 9984865438902771
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