The indirect effects of the pandemic on children and adolescents are as substantial — if not more so — than the impact of being infected with COVID-19, pediatricians say.

A research review from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute led by pediatrician Prof Sharon Goldfeld said interventions needed to be developed now to address growing disparities in child health and wellbeing due to the pandemic.

Goldfeld said children were facing a “generation-defining disruption” with public health restrictions and interventions such as online learning, social distancing, increased screen time, reduced access to healthcare, less community sport and less outside play all having repercussions.