Exploring Factors That Influence Children’s Growth and Development During a Pandemic

Abstract

The potential long-term impacts of natural or man-made disasters on children and adolescents have been the subject of numerous scientific research studies over the past decades. Since the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, it has become even more important to continue these investigations in order to address the special needs of our youth. While the virus itself appears to cause less pathology in them compared to adults, the effects go beyond the disease itself. The pandemic has caused extremely high levels of stress for both the children and their families. As a result, special attention has to be given to the possible long-term impacts on their growth and development. It is very important for physicians and other healthcare providers to recognize the signs and symptoms of stress and monitor for physical and mental health inequities, and to be able to provide support when help is needed. Identifying culturally effective solutions and reaching out to community based organizations or partners for resources and programs with which families identify is an important part of this healing provision. Mind-body therapies and practices such as meditation, visualization, breathing exercises, Movazeneh®, and Tamarkoz® are effective complementary therapies that can be utilized in pediatrics and help children and adolescents learn self-care skills that they could apply throughout their lives. Health providers should become educated in these safe and noninvasive techniques themselves, and consider them as possible therapeutic approaches for the treatment of stress in their pediatric patients.