Child and adolescent psychiatric admissions during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong: a retrospective study

OBJECTIVE: To investigate changes in child and adolescent psychiatric admissions during the first year of the pandemic, compared with the preceding 2 years. METHODS: Electronic medical records of all child and adolescent psychiatric admissions to Tuen Mun Hospital and Castle Peak Hospital, Hong Kong across 3 years (1 February 2018 to 31 January 2021) were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: In total, 376 admissions from 1 February 2018 to 31 January 2021 were included in the analysis (131 from 1 February 2018 to 31 January 2019, 127 from 1 February 2019 to 31 January 2020, and 118 from 1 February 2020 to 31 January 2021). Annual admissions decreased by 7.1% during the first year of the pandemic compared with the preceding year, and by 9.9% compared with 2 years prior. The admission rate for anxious mood was lower in the first year of the pandemic, compared with 2 years earlier (6.1% in 2018 vs 1.6% in 2019 vs 0% in 2020, adjusted p = 0.036). Suspension of face-to-face teaching was a negative predictor for the monthly admission incidence rate (b = -0.425, standard error = 0.1372, p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: The admission rate for anxious mood was significantly lower in the first year of the pandemic than in 2 years earlier. However, there were no significant differences in sociodemographic and clinical factors or psychiatric diagnoses.