Risk of neuropsychiatric and related conditions associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection: a difference-in-differences analysis

作者：Yiwen Lu, Jiayi Tong, Dazheng Zhang, Jiajie Chen, Lu Li, Yuqing Lei, Ting Zhou, Leyna Aragon, Michael J. Becich, Saul Blecker, Nathan J. Blum, Dimitri Christakis, Mady Hornig, Maxwell M. Hornig-Rohan, Ravi Jhaveri, W. Schuyler Jones, Amber Brown Keebler, Kelly J. Kelleher, Susan Kim, Abu Saleh Mohammad Mosa, Kathleen Pajer, Jonathan Platt, Hayden T. Schwenk, Bradley Taylor, Levon Utidjian, David A. Williams, Raghuram Prasad, Josephine Elia, Christopher B. Forrest, Yong Chen · 发表于：Nature Communications · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1038/s41467-025-61961-1 · 被引用次数：9 · 研究领域：Long-Term Effects of COVID-19、COVID-19 and Mental Health、COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies

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. The COVID-19 pandemic has raised concerns about increased neu...