IF FOOD BE THE MUSIC OF LIFE –
Feb. 25, 2022 – Covid-19 remained the predominant reason for ER visits among kids – particularly among children too young to be vaccinated during the Omicron wave, when visits for that age group increased.
There were also increases in visits related to behavioral health conditions among children five to 17, including self-harm, drug poisonings, socioeconomic and psychosocial concerns, and – among adolescents only – symptoms of mental health conditions and substance use.
“The results point to the importance of increased awareness for health concerns that could arise due to delayed medical care and heightened emotional distress during the pandemic, especially among adolescents,” said Lakshmi Radhakrishnan, a health scientist at the CDC and the lead author of both studies.
The reasons for the rise in distress among teen girls are complex and various, she added, making it difficult to pinpoint their cause.
Richmond said that inpatient visits at her center have nearly tripled and the need for outpatient care has also increased.
