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Pediatrics

COVID-19 Pandemic Exacerbates Emotional and Behavioral Issues in Children with ADHD

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A study published in Scientific Reports has found that children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Shanghai, China, experienced significant fluctuations in emotional and behavioral problems during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research, led by Daqian Zhu from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, followed 1102 children with ADHD over a period of 400 days, spanning various pandemic control stages, including the Shanghai lockdown.

Key Takeaways:

  • Emotional and behavioral issues in children with ADHD fluctuated over time, with peaks in behavioral problems around day 260 of isolation and a second peak after the Shanghai lockdown.
  • Emotional issues, such as anxiety and depression, showed a dual-peak pattern, with early pandemic rises and a second peak around day 400.
  • Symptoms rebounded after lockdown and persisted for an extended period.
  • Boys had higher scores in hyperactivity and oppositional defiance than girls, with no significant gender differences in emotional problems.
  • Children with ADHD-PI had higher emotional problem scores, while those with ADHD-HI exhibited more severe behavioral issues.
  • The study highlights the substantial impact of prolonged COVID-19 measures on emotional and behavioral problems in ADHD children, particularly increased adaptive pressures post-lockdown.
  • Phase-specific, individualized interventions are crucial to mitigate these challenges.

Statistics:

  • 1102 children with ADHD were enrolled in the study.
  • The children had a mean age of 9.2 ± 2.4 years, with 83% being boys.
  • Behavioral problems, including inattention, hyperactivity, and conduct issues, peaked around day 260 of isolation.
  • Emotional issues, such as anxiety and depression, showed a dual-peak pattern, with early pandemic rises and a second peak around day 400.
  • Symptoms rebounded after lockdown and persisted for an extended period.

Sources:

  • Longitudinal patterns of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder children in Shanghai, China. Scientific Reports, 2025;15(1):20305.
  • Shanghai Jiao Tong University Reports Findings in COVID-19 (Longitudinal patterns of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder children in Shanghai, China). Pediatrics Week. July 12, 2025; p 9.

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