Abstract

Objectives: The present study aimed to explore the prevalence of various emotional and behavioural changes associated with the COVID-19 outbreak experience on children with pre-existing psychiatric or neuro developmental illness.Methods: Following ethical approval, data was collected in July-August, 2020. Parents of children receivingtreatment from child mental health services in a tertiary care hospital were contacted and a structuredquestionnaire was used to collect data on emotional and behaviour changes noticed in their child, impact ondaily routine and educational activities since the lockdown. Data was analyzed by SPSS-26.Results: parents participated. The Mean age of children was 8.67 + 4.25 and 59% were male.Neurodevelopmental disorders and emotional problems were the predominant diagnoses in children. Asignificant proportion of parents (143; 63.6%) noticed changes in their children's emotional state andbehaviors during the lockdown. Two-thirds of the parents believed that their child's anger has worsenedduring lockdown with increased likelihood of getting into arguments with family (49.8%), more behaviouralproblems (43.1%), and being more irritable (39%). Every fourth parent reported worsening anxiety andnervousness in their children. Majority of parents mentioned disruption in children's routines with increasedscreentime and less physical activities and adverse impact on educational activities. 35% parents admitted tofeeling stressed and facing difficulties in managing their children's behaviour in the prevailing situation.Conclusions: Significant worsening of emotional and behavioural problems was noted during COVID-19outbreak among children with preexisting psychiatric problems. Policies should take into consideration theimplications of the lockdown for this most vulnerable group and supportive interventions for the immediateand the future should be promoted