Key result
COVID-19 pandemic linked to decreased physical activity and lost seasonal patterns in children with CHD.
Why the study?
Children with moderate-to-complex congenital heart disease have increased cardiovascular risk, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their physical activity over time was unclear.
Does the COVID-19 pandemic reduce daily step counts in children and adolescents with moderate-to-complex congenital heart disease?
Cohort
Yes
Does the COVID-19 pandemic reduce daily step counts in children and adolescents with moderate-to-complex congenital heart disease?
p-value: p=<0.001
The COVID-19 pandemic caused a persistent, significant reduction in physical activity and loss of seasonal variation among children with moderate-to-complex congenital heart disease, worsening their cardiovascular risk profile.
May warrant activity monitoring in pediatric CHD; leaves open whether interventions can restore pre-pandemic levels.
Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was associated with a reduction in physical activity in children with congenital heart disease (CHD) in early 2020. Given the increased cardiovascular risk of this population, optimizing cardiovascular health behaviour is important. The aim of the study is to determine how the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has impacted longitudinal physical activity measures in children with CHD. Methods: As part of a prospective cohort study, children and adolescents aged 9-16 years old with moderate-to-complex CHD were recruited from British Columbia Children's Hospital and partnership clinics across British Columbia and the Yukon territory. Daily step counts were measured continuously over 3 years (2018-2021) with Fitbit Charge 2. School status during the COVID-19 pandemic was assessed with parent- or self-report survey. Results: < 0.001). There was a loss of seasonal variation in physical activity, and reduced levels of physical activity persisted when most children resumed in-person schooling in September 2020. Conclusions: We demonstrated a significant decrease in physical activity and loss of seasonal patterns in children with CHD during 2020. These findings represent a worsening of the cardiovascular risk profile in children with CHD, who are already at an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Mitigation strategies are needed to optimize the cardiovascular health status of children with CHD as the pandemic persists.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Kuan et al. (2022) conducted a cohort in Congenital heart disease. COVID-19 pandemic vs. Pre-pandemic period was evaluated on Daily step counts (p=<0.001). The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a significant decrease in physical activity and loss of seasonal patterns in children with congenital heart disease (P<0.001).
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: