Mental health in children admitted with paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2 (PIMS-TS): a follow-up study at 6 months of the Swissped-RECOVERY trial

Abstract Background PIMS-TS presents with features considered to pose a risk for the development of unfavourable long-term mental health outcomes which haven’t been prospectively investigated. These include neurological symptoms (headache, confusion, and delirium), systemic inflammation, and critical illness requiring PICU support. Therefore, we set out to investigate mental health at 6-month follow-up in patients recruited into Swissped-RECOVERY trial. Methods This is a pre-planned analysis of the Swissped-RECOVERY trial (clinicaltrial.gov, NCT 04826588) investigating intravenous immunoglobulins versus intravenous methylprednisolone in patients with PIMS-TS. Mental health was assessed 6 months after hospital discharge using the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), leading to a score concerning mental well-being (total score scale 0–40 points, subdomains 0–10 points). At population level it is expected that 80% of children belong to the normal, 10% to the borderline, and 10% to the abnormal band of the SDQ scores. Findings Seventy-five patients were included, 66 (88%) parent-reported and 26 (78.8%) self-reported SDQs were returned. The median total difficulty score was 7.0 [4.0, 11.8] for parent-reported and 11.0 [7.0, 14.8] for self-reported SDQ. The total difficulty score was borderline or abnormal in 12/58 (20.7%) of parent-reported and 7/26 (26.9%) of self-reported SDQs. Emotional problems were reported borderline or abnormal in 19% and 27% of the parent- and self-reported SDQ, respectively, and for hyperactivity/inattention 21% and 27%, respectively. Conclusion Emotional problems and hyperactivity/inattention appeared to be the pressing concerns. Potential interference with daily activities such as home life, friendship, etc., makes early identification important to ensure adequate support. Trail registration ClinicalTrials.gov, ID NCT04826588, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04826588 .