Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) develops in the post-infectious phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection and impacts several organ systems, including the nervous system. Even though most children and adolescents with MIS-C recover well physically, some experience persistent cognitive and emotional sequelae. Since a cognitive decline in individuals with anxious and depressive disorders is well documented in previous literature, my master's thesis aims to explore whether anxiety and depression are associated with deficits in verbal and visual memory, short-term visuospatial memory, information processing speed, and executive functions. Hypotheses were tested using secondary analysis of data, collected by the Registry of Children with Systemic Immune-mediated Diseases. The final sample consisted of 47 patients with MIS-C who were tested with RAVLT, RCFT, CCTT, ToLDX, and a computerized version of the Corsi block tapping test. Their parents filled out the CBCL questionnaire. Anxiety and depression in participants were generally not related to cognitive deficits. A significant positive relationship emerged between anxiety and CCTT 1. When controlling for anxious symptoms, a moderate negative relationship was found between depression and executive functions. Cognitive deficits after MIS-C most likely do not arise due to heightened anxiety and depression but because of other mechanisms. The results of this study cannot be extrapolated to the general population of children and adolescents with MIS-C due to the small number of participants with borderline or clinical anxiety and depression.
|
