Abstract Children with neurodevelopmental disorders not only have low cognitive and communication functions, but also have a high incidence of psychological problems, resulting in a huge burden for their family and society. Our study aims to introduce the mental health status of children with major neurodevelopmental disorders, including intellectual disability, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorders, and developmental dyslexia; analyze the association of mental health with neurodevelopment and emphasize the importance of mental health on children development; and discuss how to promote their mental health and further improve their quality of life.

Objective: To examine the changes of depressive and anxiety symptoms in school aged children during home confinement and to identify possible influence of learning and lifestyle behaviors on mental health changes. Methods: The population of this study were obtained from the "Tongji Mental Health Cohort". Two primary schools in Wuhan were selected through cluster sampling and students in grade 2-5 were surveyed. This study was divided into two stages. In the first stage (T1=during home learning), a total of 2 588 valid questionnaires were collected. In the second phase (T2=during school learning), 2 424 children were followed up successfully. Combining the results of the depression and anxiety symptoms of the two surveys of children respectively to classify the children s psychological outcomes. Association between home learning and lifestyle behaviors with the change of psychological symptoms in school aged children were estimated by disordered multi classification Logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms were 28.9% and 21.0% in school aged children at T1, 35.6% and 30.6% at T2, respectively. The aggravation and persistence of depressive and anxiety symptoms in children were partly related to their home learning and lifestyle behaviors. Concentration in class（ OR=0.63，95%CI =0.45-0.89）, frequent interaction with teachers ( OR =0.74, 95% CI = 0.57- 0.95 ), participation in physical exercise at home ( OR =0.60, 95% CI =0.41-0.87) was negatively associated with depressive symptoms in children. Time spent on playing video games ( OR =1.15, 95% CI =1.06-1.24) and fear of infection with coronavirus disease 2019 ( OR =1.83, 95% CI =1.39-2.42) were positively associated with anxiety in children. Boys（ OR=0.70， 0.63 ） were more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety symptoms than girls. Conclusion The prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms among school aged children increased when they went back to school after home confinement, suggesting more attention are needed for mental health intervention among school aged children.

Objective: To investigate the progression of depressive and anxiety symptoms of children, especially whose parents were frontline workers in the combat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and to provide evidence for children s mental health promotion. Methods: In June and December 2020, two surveys were conducted among the children in a primary school in Qiaokou District, Wuhan. The questionnaire included demographic information, student learning conditions, and depressive/anxiety symptoms. Results: A total of 963 children completed both surveys. The detection rate of depressive and anxiety symptoms at follow up was significantly higher than that at the baseline survey (depressive symptoms: OR=1.45, 95%CI =1.16-1.83; anxiety symptoms: OR=1.79, 95%CI =1.41-2.28, P <0.01). There was no statistically significant change in depressive/anxiety symptoms among children whose parents were frontline workers compared with those whose parents were not( P >0.05). Girls, lower learning efficiency, and less interaction with teachers in class were risk factors for depressive or anxiety symptoms of children( P < 0.05 ). Conclusion Mental health status of children requires continuous attention. Moreover, timely psychological protection should be given to prevent the occurrence of psychological problems and the further deterioration of psychological problems.

Abstract Children were vulnerable groups in major public health emergencies. In 2020, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was widespread in the world. The mental health of school age children has become a worldwide concern. Herein, we conducted this review to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of general children and special children with a high risk of psychological problems, focusing on the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and post traumatic stress disorder among school age children in different countries and regions during the COVID-19 epidemic. Considering the susceptibility between individuals and the accessibility of social resources, we further explored the child, family, and social related factors affecting the mental health of school age children. Finally, some suggestions on the construction of children s mental health service system in major public health emergencies were put forward at the national, school family community, and individual levels. Building a safe and reliable child mental health protection network required the joint efforts of all sectors of society.