Comparative study of pandemics and their impact on children and adolescents: COVID-19 and Spanish Flu.

Abstract

Overview: Pandemics are characterized by an abrupt and sudden outburst and absence of preparation for its management. The focus during pandemics is on the medical aspect of the disease and not on its impact on the citizens' or vulnerable groups' psychosocial wellbeing.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to highlight the impact of the pandemics of the Spanish Flu and COVID-19 on children and adolescents as well as to recognize their short and long-terms effects on children's and adolescents' physical and mental health.

Materials and methods: The material of this review constituted of publications regarding the impact of the Spanish Flu and COVID-19 on children and adolescents via relative search through valid databases and websites of trustworthy organizations.

Results: The main finding of the present review was that pandemics negatively affect children and adolescents undermining their mental and physical health. The factors that negatively impact on this population's normal development include parental death, financial hardships, restrictive measures, disruption of daily routine and absence of social contact. The short-term effects include anxiety, depression, aggressive behavior as well as fear and grief. Mental disorders, disability, poor academic performance and low socioeconomic level are among the long-term effects of the two under study pandemics.

Conclusions: Children and adolescents constitute a vulnerable group amidst pandemics and there is a need for coordinated worldwide and national actions to prevent and timely manage a pandemic's impact.