Does SARS-CoV-2 Infection Increase Risk of Neuropsychiatric and Related Conditions? Findings from Difference-in-Differences Analyses

Yong Chen; Yiwen Lu; Jiayi Tong; Dazheng Zhang; Jiajie Chen; Lu Li; Yuqing Lei; Ting Zhou; Leyna Aragon; Michael Becich; Saul Blecker; Nathan Blum; Dimitri Christakis; Mady Hornig; Maxwell Hornig-Rohan; Ravi Jhaveri; William Jones; Amber Keebler; Kelly Kelleher; Susan Kim; Abu Mosa; Kathleen Pajer; Jonathan Platt; Hayden Schwenk; Bradley Taylor; Levon Utidjian; David Williams; Raghuram Prasad; Josephine Elia; Christopher rest

doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-5621095/v1

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Does SARS-CoV-2 Infection Increase Risk of Neuropsychiatric and Related Conditions? Findings from Difference-in-Differences Analyses

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Does SARS-CoV-2 Infection Increase Risk of Neuropsychiatric and Related Conditions? Findings from Difference-in-Differences Analyses

Yong Chen, Yiwen Lu, Jiayi Tong, Dazheng Zhang, Jiajie Chen, Lu Li, Yuqing Lei, Ting Zhou, Leyna Aragon, Michael Becich, …

Research square

01/08/2025

DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-5621095/v1

PMCID: PMC11760242

PMID: 39866876

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Preprint (Author's original)This preprint has not been evaluated by subject experts through peer review. Preprints may undergo extensive changes and/or become peer-reviewed journal articles. Open Access

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 aimed 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 conducted a retrospective analysis of 326,074 COVID-19 positive and 887,314 negative participants matched for risk factors and stratified by age. Neuropsychiatric outcomes were examined 28 to 179 days post-infection or negative test between March 2020 and December 2022. SARS-CoV-2 positivity was confirmed via PCR, serology, or antigen tests, while negativity required negative test results and no related diagnoses. Risk differences revealed higher frequencies of neuropsychiatric conditions in the COVID-19 positive cohort. Children faced increased risks for anxiety, OCD, ADHD, autism, and other conditions, while youths exhibited 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.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 aimed 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 conducted a retrospective analysis of 326,074 COVID-19 positive and 887,314 negative participants matched for risk factors and stratified by age. Neuropsychiatric outcomes were examined 28 to 179 days post-infection or negative test between March 2020 and December 2022. SARS-CoV-2 positivity was confirmed via PCR, serology, or antigen tests, while negativity required negative test results and no related diagnoses. Risk differences revealed higher frequencies of neuropsychiatric conditions in the COVID-19 positive cohort. Children faced increased risks for anxiety, OCD, ADHD, autism, and other conditions, while youths exhibited 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.

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Title: Subtitle: Does SARS-CoV-2 Infection Increase Risk of Neuropsychiatric and Related Conditions? Findings from Difference-in-Differences Analyses
Creators: Yong Chen - University of Pennsylvania
Yiwen Lu - University of Pennsylvania
Jiayi Tong - Johns Hopkins University
Dazheng Zhang - University of Pennsylvania
Jiajie Chen - University of Pennsylvania
Lu Li - University of Pennsylvania
Yuqing Lei - University of Pennsylvania
Ting Zhou - University of Pennsylvania
Leyna Aragon
Michael Becich - University of Pittsburgh
Saul Blecker - New York University
Nathan Blum - Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Dimitri Christakis
Mady Hornig
Maxwell Hornig-Rohan - Community Care
Ravi Jhaveri - Lurie Children's Hospital
William Jones
Amber Keebler - University of Nebraska Medical Center
Kelly Kelleher - Nationwide Children's Hospital
Susan Kim - University of California, San Francisco
Abu Mosa
Kathleen Pajer - Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario
Jonathan Platt - University of Iowa
Hayden Schwenk - Stanford Medicine
Bradley Taylor - Medical College of Wisconsin
Levon Utidjian - Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
David Williams - University of Michigan
Raghuram Prasad - Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Josephine Elia - Nemours Children's Health System
Christopher rest
Resource Type: Preprint
Publication Details: Research square
DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-5621095/v1
PMID: 39866876
PMCID: PMC11760242
NLM abbreviation: Res Sq
ISSN: 2693-5015
eISSN: 2693-5015
Language: English
Date posted: 01/08/2025
Academic Unit: Epidemiology; Injury Prevention Research Center
Record Identifier: 9984781376502771

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