CPSP 2021 study results highlight emerging issues in child and youth health

September 14, 2022

OTTAWA – The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on new cases of anorexia nervosa in children and youth, according to preliminary results from a Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program (CPSP) study.

The study, which monitored cases of first-time hospitalizations for anorexia nervosa from September 1 to December 31, 2021, found that the pandemic was identified as a factor contributing to the development of this eating disorder in almost 50% of children and adolescents reported to the study. Most patients hospitalized with a first-time diagnosis were females between 14 to 17 years old. The two-year study will continue to collect data across Canada until August 2023.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has unmasked a global eating disorder public health crisis resulting in considerable health, economic, financial, and social consequences,” said Dr. Debra Katzman, one of the study’s principal investigators, Staff Physician in the Division of Adolescent Medicine and a Senior Associate Scientist in the Child Health Evaluative Sciences program at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids).

“This is a wake-up call for making eating disorders a priority.”

The data on anorexia nervosa hospitalizations were only one of the study results released this week by the CPSP. Other findings of significance:

• Congenital syphilis has become increasingly common in recent years. Housing insecurity and substance use among mothers are common risks factors. Many of the mothers (29%) studied had no documented prenatal care but most of their newborns (87%) with congenital syphilis started treatment within the first week of life. Study results will help inform public health strategies to prevent congenital syphilis and may inform an upcoming Canadian Paediatric Society position statement.
• Serious and life-threatening events associated with the non-medical use of cannabis continued to occur among children and youth in Canada in 2021. The most common presentation was cannabis poisoning or intoxication (36%), mostly involving children 12 years and younger who had ingested cannabis edibles (83%). This trend will be closely monitored as the study continues. The vast majority of cases of serious or life-threatening events involved cannabis from unknown sources.

The CPSP is a network of 2,800 Canadian paediatricians and paediatric subspecialists. It is a partnership between the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Paediatric Society. Through disease surveillance, the program generates valuable new knowledge to inform clinical research, practice, and policy related to important rare conditions and evolving child health threats. Along with knowledge translation tools, including monthly tips on adverse drug reactions, the CPSP provides timely information to researchers, doctors, and health policy-makers on both emerging and persisting health conditions affecting children and youth.

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For interviews or more information please contact:

[email protected]
Meaghan Richens
Media Relations Specialist
Canadian Paediatric Society

About the Canadian Paediatric Society

The Canadian Paediatric Society is a national advocacy association that promotes the health needs of children and youth. Founded in 1922, the CPS represents more than 3,300 paediatricians, paediatric subspecialists and other child health professionals across Canada.