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COVID-19 Associated Contact Restrictions in Germany: Marked Decline in Children’s Outpatient Visits for Infectious Diseases without Increasing Visits for Mental Health Disorders

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  • Barschkett, Mara
  • Koletzko, Berthold
  • Spiess, C. Katharina

Abstract

Children have a low risk for severe COVID-19 infections, but indirect consequences of the pandemic may affect their health. We evaluated nationwide data on children’s outpatient visits before and during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. Data from the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians for all children with statutory health insurance and at least one physician’s office visit between January 2019 and June 2020 were evaluated for total visits and selected diagnoses for the 2nd quarter of 2019 (8.29 million children, controls) and the 2nd quarter of 2020 (8.5 million, pandemic). Outpatient visits per child fell by 18% during the first wave of the pandemic. Outpatient visits associated with diagnosed infections fell markedly by 51%, particularly for children up to age 5 years for gastroenteritis (73%), otitis media (71%), and streptococcal angina (78%). Outpatient visits for diagnosed chronic physical disorders (diabetes, celiac disease, and hay fever) and mental and behavioral disorders showed little change. Reduced contact between children appears to markedly reduce infection transmission. Infection risks in educational settings should be attenuated after the pandemic through targeted education and counseling and appropriate relationship prevention measures to improve quality of life and opportunities for children and to reduce stress and lost work time for parents.

Suggested Citation

  • Barschkett, Mara & Koletzko, Berthold & Spiess, C. Katharina, 2021. "COVID-19 Associated Contact Restrictions in Germany: Marked Decline in Children’s Outpatient Visits for Infectious Diseases without Increasing Visits for Mental Health Disorders," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 8(9).
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:espost:240620
    DOI: 10.3390/children8090728
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Van den Berg, Gerard & Siflinger, Bettina, 2020. "The Effects of Day Care on Health During Childhood: Evidence by Age," CEPR Discussion Papers 15036, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    2. Sachser, Cedric & Olaru, Gabriel & Pfeiffer, Elisa & Brähler, Elmar & Clemens, Vera & Rassenhofer, Miriam & Witt, Andreas & Fegert, Jörg M., 2021. "The immediate impact of lockdown measures on mental health and couples’ relationships during the COVID-19 pandemic - results of a representative population survey in Germany," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 278(C).
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    Cited by:

    1. Mara Barschkett, 2022. "Age-specific Effects of Early Daycare on Children's Health," Discussion Papers of DIW Berlin 2028, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research.
    2. Mara Barschkett, 2022. "Age-specific Effects of Early Daycare on Children’s Health," Berlin School of Economics Discussion Papers 0005, Berlin School of Economics.
    3. Barschkett, Mara, 2023. "Age-specific Effects of Early Daycare on Children's Health," VfS Annual Conference 2023 (Regensburg): Growth and the "sociale Frage" 277588, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.

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