ABSTRACT
ObjectiveInformation regarding the impact of COVID-19 in children with brain-based disabilities, or those at risk of developing such conditions, remains scarce. The objective was to evaluate if children with brain-based disabilities are more likely to (1) develop COVID-19, (2) develop complications from the disease, and (3) to have a poorer prognosis. Study designWe conducted a rapid review using search strategies iteratively developed and tested by an experienced medical information specialist in consultation with the review team and a panel of knowledge users. Searches were initially performed on April 18th, 2021, and updated on October 31st, 2020. Four reviewers individually performed study selection using pilot-tested standardized forms. Single reviewers extracted the data using a standardized extraction form that included study characteristics, patients characteristics, and outcomes reported. ResultsWe identified 1448 publications, of which 29 were included. Studies reported data on 2288 COVID-19 positive children, including 462 with a brain-based disability, and 72 at risk of developing such disability. Overall, the included studies showed a greater risk to develop severe COVID-19 disease in children with brain-based disabilities. Although mortality is very low, the case-fatality rate appeared to be higher in children with disabilities compared to children without disabilities. ConclusionsOur review shows that children with brain-based disabilities are overrepresented in hospitalization numbers compared to children without disabilities. However, most studies included children that were hospitalized from COVID-19 in secondary and tertiary care centers. Results of this review should therefore be interpreted with caution.
ABSTRACT
BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic and the isolation measures taken to control it has caused important disruptions in economies and labour markets, changed the way we work and socialize, forced schools to close and healthcare and social services to reorganize in order to redirect resources on the pandemic response. This unprecedented crisis forces individuals to make considerable efforts to adapt and can have serious psychological and social consequences that are likely to persist once the pandemic has been contained and restrictive measures lifted. These impacts will be significant for vulnerable individuals and will most likely exacerbate existing social and gender health and social inequalities. This crisis also puts a toll on the capacity of our healthcare and social services structures to provide timely and adequate care. In order to minimize these consequences, there is an urgent need for high-quality, real-time information on the psychosocial impacts of the pandemic. The MAVIPAN (Ma vie et la pandemie/My life with the pandemic) study aims to document how individuals, families, healthcare workers, and health organisations that provide services are affected by the pandemic and how they adapt. MethodsThe MAVIPAN study is a 5-year longitudinal prospective cohort study that was launched on April 29th, 2020 in the province of Quebec which, at that time, was the epicenter of the pandemic in Canada. Quantitative data is collected through online questionnaires approximately 5 times a year depending on the pandemic evolution. Questionnaires include measures of health, social, behavioral and individual determinants as well as psychosocial impacts. Qualitative data will be collected with individual and group interviews that seek to deepen our understanding of coping strategies. DiscussionThe MAVIPAN study will support the healthcare and social services system response by providing the evidence base needed to identify those who are most affected by the pandemic and by guiding public health authorities decision making regarding intervention and resource allocation to mitigate these impacts. It is also a unique opportunity to advance our knowledge on coping mechanisms and adjustment strategies. Trial registrationNCT04575571 (retrospectively registered)
