The COVID-19 pandemic has had detrimental effects on the mental health of children and adolescents, with an increase in the prevalence of various mental health disorders. However, there has been a lack of focus on the mental health effects of long COVID and prior COVID-19 infections in children. To address this gap, a systematic review was conducted to evaluate the mental health effects of COVID-19 infection in children. Thirteen studies were included in the review, which assessed mental health symptoms and treatment outcomes in children with long COVID. The results showed that children with a previous COVID-19 infection had higher rates of anxiety, depression, and appetite issues compared to those without prior infection. The prevalence rates of mental health conditions in children following a COVID-19 infection were found to be 15% for depression, 13% for mood swings, 9% for anxiety, 6% for concentration problems, and 5% for appetite loss. It is important to note that these findings may not be applicable to low- and middle-income countries due to limited data. Nonetheless, the study suggests that a prior COVID-19 infection may be associated with an increased risk of adverse mental health symptoms in children.

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