Effect of COVID-19 on Frequency and Severity of Eating Disorder Admissions in a Specialized Pediatric Inpatient Unit

Reported cases of mental health illnesses increased during COVID-19. In this study, we aimed to analyze the effect of COVID-19 on a large, urban eating disorder unit. This study examined change in eating disorder admissions, as well as severity of symptoms, before and after the COVID-19 outbreak. While frequency of eating disorder admissions increased during the COVID-19 outbreak, this study found that severity of some symptoms decreased. Understanding the needs of this population during times of limited access to care can inform more effective, personalized care strategies that reduce long-term impacts on mental and physical health.