Impact of the covid-19 pandemic on admissions for psychosis in a pediatric population from an urban area of the united states before and during the covid-19 pandemic

Data on the exacerbation of psychotic symptoms in youth during COVID-19 are limited, despite being documented in adults. We examined trends in pediatric psychiatric admissions for psychotic symptoms before and during the pandemic. We additionally sought to determine if rates of psychosis differed by gender, age, race/ethnicity, and COVID-19 containment restrictions. We hypothesized that the proportion of admissions for psychotic illness would increase during the COVID-19 pandemic, because those with predisposition to psychotic illness are more susceptible to societal stressors and isolation.