The COVID-19 Pandemic and Child Welfare and Healthcare Systems: Impact and Lessons Learned for Future Policy Making

Dear Colleagues,

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on infants, children, and adolescents. Because the clinical course of SARS-CoV-2 is generally mild in young subjects, the major challenges in this age group were underestimated at the beginning of the pandemic. However, it has now become clear that timely research is necessary to guide healthcare and welfare politics to provide adequate vaccination and surveillance strategies for children and adolescents, clarify the somatic consequences such as PIMS and post-(long) COVID-19 symptoms, and assess the consequences of disease management measures such as social distancing, home schooling, or mask wearing for wellbeing and mental health of the next generation. The psychosocial burden on children and adolescents has to be quantified and effective measures to return to healthy lives and learn our lesson for future pandemic situations have to be based on solid evidence. Therefore, this Special Issue focuses on original data as well as reviews on the abovementioned topics in order to provide evidence for pandemic child public health measures and give blueprints for pediatric and child and adolescent research infrastructures in order to adapt rapidly to new challenges in somatic and psychosocial health. Interdisciplinary papers focusing on ethical considerations or including an evidence-based subjective view of vulnerable groups are welcome to provide policymakers with the necessary information to take decisions regarding children’s interests and rights.

Prof. Dr. Stephan Bender
Guest Editor

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