Impact of COVID-19 Lockdowns on Admissions to Paediatric and Adolescent Eating Disorder Units in Melbourne, Australia: A Multi-Centre Retrospective Observational Study

IF 1.4 4区医学 Q2 PEDIATRICS

Journal of paediatrics and child health Pub Date : 2025-07-25 DOI:10.1111/jpc.70157

Christine Kwa, Shyharini Abeysinghe, Jacinta Coleman, Suba Rudolph, Michele Yeo, Rachel Schembri, Christopher Harding, Rhys Rumley, Raimah Ahmed, Hannah C. Cooney, Jessica Costa-Pinto

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic saw an increase in paediatric eating disorder admissions worldwide. This multi-centre study aimed to determine the impact of COVID-19 lockdown measures on paediatric eating disorder admissions across Melbourne, Australia, where restrictions were among the harshest in the world, despite relatively low infection rates. We explored changes in markers of severity and factors contributing to increased admissions.

Methods

A retrospective review was completed of patients admitted under the four paediatric eating disorder units in Melbourne between April–September 2019 (“pre-COVID-19”) and 2020 (COVID-19). Overall monthly admission numbers were also compared from 2018 to 2023.

Results

Admissions increased by 55% from 2019 to 2020. In post-pandemic years (2022–2023), admissions decreased, but not to pre-pandemic levels. Length of stay decreased from a median of 12 days (IQR 7–18) in 2019 to 10 days (IQR 5–14) in 2020 (p = 0.045). In 2020, compared to 2019, there was an increase in patients with hypoglycaemia (OR 1.51; 95% CI 1.02, 2.23) and hypothermia (OR 1.84; 95% CI 1.26, 2.70). The perceived impact of COVID-19 was documented in 50.9% of 2020 admission records and identified as contributors to deterioration in 70.6% of these. Restrictions on schooling and activities, increased time to focus on disordered eating behaviours, and worsening mental health were the commonest lockdown-related factors.

Conclusions

During the first year of the pandemic in Melbourne, there was a significant increase in eating disorder admissions and some markers of severity. Factors potentially contributing to deterioration and admissions should be considered in inpatient and outpatient management of children with eating disorders, and in future planning of social restrictions.

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2019冠状病毒病封锁对澳大利亚墨尔本儿科和青少年饮食失调病房入院的影响：一项多中心回顾性观察研究

目的：2019冠状病毒病大流行导致全球儿科饮食失调入院人数增加。这项多中心研究旨在确定COVID-19封锁措施对澳大利亚墨尔本儿童饮食失调入院的影响，尽管感染率相对较低，但墨尔本的限制是世界上最严格的。我们探讨了严重程度标志的变化和导致入院人数增加的因素。方法：对2019年4月至9月（“COVID-19前”）和2020年（COVID-19）期间墨尔本四家儿科饮食失调病房收治的患者进行回顾性研究。从2018年到2023年，每月的总入场人数也进行了比较。结果：从2019年到2020年，招生人数增加了55%。在大流行后年份（2022-2023年），入院人数有所下降，但未降至大流行前的水平。停留时间中位数从2019年的12天（IQR 7-18）降至2020年的10天（IQR 5-14）（p = 0.045）。与2019年相比，2020年低血糖患者增加(OR 1.51；95% CI 1.02, 2.23)和体温过低(OR 1.84；95% ci 1.26, 2.70)。2020年入院记录中有50.9%记录了COVID-19的感知影响，其中70.6%被确定为导致病情恶化的因素。对学校和活动的限制，对饮食失调行为的关注时间增加，以及心理健康状况的恶化是最常见的与封锁相关的因素。结论：在墨尔本大流行的第一年，饮食失调入院人数和一些严重症状显著增加。在饮食失调儿童的住院和门诊管理以及未来的社会限制规划中，应考虑可能导致病情恶化和入院的因素。

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来源期刊

Journal of paediatrics and child health 医学-小儿科

CiteScore

2.90

自引率

5.90%

发文量

487

审稿时长

3-6 weeks

期刊介绍： The Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health publishes original research articles of scientific excellence in paediatrics and child health. Research Articles, Case Reports and Letters to the Editor are published, together with invited Reviews, Annotations, Editorial Comments and manuscripts of educational interest.