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The Children and Young People with Long COVID (CLoCk) study in England aims to understand the symptoms and prevalence of long COVID in children and young people. The study includes over 200,000 participants aged 11-17 who were tested for COVID-19 between September 2020 and March 2021. Participants completed follow-up questionnaires at different time points, providing information on their physical and mental health. The study provides valuable insights into the long-term effects of COVID-19 in children and young people. However, there were some limitations, such as a low response rate and potential selection bias. The dataset is available for further analysis and collaboration. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Although 99% of children and young people have been exposed to SARS-CoV-2, the long-term prevalence of post-COVID-19 symptoms in young people is unclear. The aim of this study is to describe symptom profiles 12 months after SARS-CoV-2 testing. Method: A matched cohort study of a national sample of 20,202 children and young people who took a SARS-CoV-2 PCR test between September 2020 and March 2021. Results: 12 months post-index-test, there was a difference in the number of symptoms reported by initial negatives who never tested positive (NN) compared to the other three groups who had at least one positive test (p < 0.001). Similarly, 10.2% of the NN group described five-plus symptoms at 12 months compared to 15.9–24.0% in the other three groups who had at least one positive test. The most common symptoms were tiredness, sleeping difficulties, shortness of breath, and headaches for all four groups. For all these symptoms, the initial test positives with subsequent reports of re-infection had higher prevalences than other positive groups (p < 0.001). Symptom profiles, mental health, well-being, fatigue, and quality of life did not vary by vaccination status. Conclusions: Following the pandemic, many young people, particularly those that have had multiple SARS-CoV-2 positive tests, experience a range of symptoms that warrant consideration and potential investigation and intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Children and young people with long‐term physical health conditions (LTC) are known to have higher levels of co‐morbid mental health problems than medically healthy children. Evidence‐based treatments for mental health problems are effective in children who also have an LTC. This study aimed to explore the factors associated with participants' perceived acceptability and impact of a transdiagnostic mental health centre offering brief psychological assessment and treatment for children and young people and/or their families with mental health needs in the context of long term physical conditions. Methods: One‐hundred twenty‐eight patients attending the drop‐in centre were invited to participate. Overall, 35 participated (31 parents/carers; 4 children and young people) in semi‐structured interviews (either in person or by phone) exploring their experience of the centre. Interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed and checked. Framework analysis was then conducted on all transcripts. Results: Overall, participants found the drop‐in centre highly acceptable and reported a positive experience. Reasons for this varied but broadly focused around four themes: (1) efficient sufficiency; (2) autonomy; (3) fusion of process and content factors and (4) (dis)parities of esteems and 'seeing both sides of the coin'. Conclusions: Participants found the intervention acceptable. A mental health drop‐in centre in a paediatric hospital appears to be a positive and valued adjunct to supplement existing mental health services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Children and young people with longterm physical conditions have significantly elevated mental health needs. Transdiagnostic, brief psychological interventions have the potential to increase access to evidence-based psychological treatments for patients who attend health services primarily for physical health needs. Objective A non-randomised study was conducted to assess the impact of brief, transdiagnostic psychological interventions in children and young people presenting at a drop-in mental health centre in the reception area of a paediatric hospital. Methods 186 participants attending a transdiagnostic mental health drop-in centre were allocated to assessment and psychological intervention based on a clinical decision- making algorithm. Interventions included signposting, guided self- help based on a modular psychological treatment and referral to the hospital's paediatric psychology service. The primary transdiagnostic mental health outcome measure was the parent- reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), which was given at baseline and 6 months post-baseline. Findings There was a significant positive impact of attending the drop-in mental health centre on the SDQ (Cohen's d=0.22) and on the secondary outcome measure of Paediatric Quality of life (Cohen's d=0.55). Conclusions A mental health drop-in centre offering brief, transdiagnostic assessment and treatment may reduce emotional and behavioural symptoms and improve quality of life in children and young people with mental health needs in the context of long-term physical conditions. A randomised controlled trial to investigate the specificity of any effects is warranted. Clinical implications Drop-in centres for mental health needs may increase access and have beneficial effects for children and young people with physical conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]