-by Dr.Imbesat Maheen Syed
Though at present, the disease of Coronavirus infection seems to be much milder in babies and children. However, it’s much essential to understand recent reports about Paediatric Inflammatory Multisystem Syndrome, or PIMS, a rare condition that might be related to exposure to the coronavirus. We must not trivialize this in Pakistan and as paediatricians, general physicians and as parent lookout for such symptoms in children.
What are coronavirus symptoms in babies and children?
Generally, COVID-19 symptoms are milder in children than in adults. In recently published studies in Paediatrics of COVID-19 in Chinese children, 90% of those who tested positive for the disease had mild symptoms or none at all.
Fever and cough are common COVID-19 symptoms in both adults and children; shortness of breath is more likely to be seen in adults. Children can have pneumonia, with or without apparent symptoms. They can also experience sore throat, excessive fatigue.
However, severe illness in children with COVID-19 is possible, and parents should stay alert if their child is diagnosed with, or shows signs of the disease. In the study, 10% of infants with a positive COVID-19 test became critically ill. Severe illness rates were lower in older children, but there were rare cases of children in each age group requiring hospitalization, and one 14-year-old who died.
It’s essential for parents to follow guidelines if they think their child is sick with Corona Virus infection. Parents and caretakers should contact their paediatrician or family care practitioner if their child seems ill, especially if cough or fever is present.
PIMS: Doctors and parents must look out for in children
Doctors at children’s hospitals in the U.S. and the U.K. have noted that a small number of children between ages 2 and 15 have experienced PIMS.
Doctors are urgently trying to determine if and how PIMS and COVID-19 are related.
PIMS can cause inflammation of the blood vessels throughout the body. This can limit blood flow, damaging the heart and other organs.
PIMS has featured in common with toxic shock syndrome and an illness called Kawasaki disease.
Specific symptoms may mean an inflammatory problem such as Kawasaki disease or PIMS. Parents should look out for:
- Abdominal (belly) pain
- Vomiting and diarrhoea
- A red rash
- Red, cracked lips
- Red eyes
- High fever
- Swollen glands on one or both sides of the neck
- Swollen hands or feet prolonged illness (more than a couple of days)
- rash
- conjunctivitis (redness of the white part of the eye)
- stomach ache
- vomiting or diarrhoea
- a large, swollen lymph node in the neck
- red, cracked lips
- a tongue that is redder than usual and looks like a strawberry
- swollen hands or feet
- Irritability or unusual sleepiness or weakness.
PIMS, like Kawasaki disease, is very rare. But if a child has these symptoms, parents must call their doctor. PIMS may be treated with a plasma transfusion to reduce the inflammation and protect the heart and other organs.
Children with Medical Conditions
- Asthma: Children with asthma may have more severe symptoms from COVID-19 or any other respiratory disease, including the flu. As yet, there are no indications that most children with asthma experience severe symptoms due to the coronavirus, but observe them and, if symptoms develop, call the child’s doctor to discuss next steps and to arrange appropriate evaluation as needed.
- Diabetes: Control of blood sugar is vital. Children with well-managed diabetes are not expected to be more susceptible to COVID-19. But poorly controlled diabetes can weaken the immune system, so parents and doctors should observe these children for signs and symptoms that may require evaluation.
What are the signs that a child with COVID-19 requires immediate emergency medical attention?
Parents or caretakers should immediately contact urgent or emergency medical care if they notice these warning signs in a child:
- Difficulty breathing or catching his or her breath
- Inability to keep down any liquids
- New confusion or inability to awaken
- Bluish lips
How to Protect Your Children from COVID-19
Children are exposed to COVID-19 when the virus contacts their eyes, nose, mouth or lungs. This usually occurs when a nearby infected person coughs or sneezes, which releases respiratory droplets into the air and onto the child’s face or adjacent surfaces such as tables, food or hands.”
- Avoid crowds: Keep kids away from crowded areas when possible, don’t take them to grocery stores or visit any one’s house with them.
- Stay away from sick people: Keep children at least 6 feet away from anyone who is suffering from a cough or fever, including family.
- It is advised to parents to teach kids to wash their hands regularly, with soap and warm water, for at least 20 seconds.
- If soap and water are not available, the next best option is hand sanitizer
- Cough and sneeze with care: Encourage everyone in the family to cough and sneeze into their elbow, instead of their hands, and to wash their hands after each time this occurs.
- Keep hands off faces: Parents should remind children to avoid touching their face as much as possible. Parents should wash toys regularly.
- Keep things clean: Wipe down toys and surfaces your child usually feels, especially when travelling or when near a person who is sick—clean surfaces at home and store cleaners in cabinets that are out of children’s reach.
Don’t stigmatize or discriminate
- If you’re feeling worried about the coronavirus. Talk about it. But fear and stigma will make a difficult situation worse. For example, reports are emerging from around the world of individuals, particularly of Asian people, being subject to verbal or even physical abuse.
- Our emergencies and hospitals are in stressful times. It’s essential to stay informed and to be kind and supportive to everyone. Words matter, and we must use language does not accentuate existing stereotypes that can drive people away from getting tested and taking the actions they need to protect themselves and everyone else.
- Remember, viruses can affect anyone, do not associate it with a race, creed or cast.
- Don’t be judgmental and don’t say that someone got it because it was a curse or because a person was a sinner etc. Talk positively and emphasize the importance of effective prevention measures, including following instructions on hand washing.
In Pakistan, it is a much-stigmatized disease. People associate the illness with conspiracy theories. Misinformation is a more believable thing then the scientific facts for masses, so we must play the role of responsible citizens and only trust information from valid resources.
Doctors and parents need to be vigilant about the Corona Virus infection in children and treat accordingly and report cases. Doctors dealing with paediatric population must report symptoms and outcomes of Corona Virus infection amongst Pakistani Children and contribute in research so that it could be diagnosed and treated effectively. People need to trust the health care system and take children to healthcare facilities timely.
Talk to children about it and let them quickly know scientific facts. Most importantly follow precautions and be a good example so that they will develop into your footsteps.
-The writer is Resident of Pediatric Surgery and Vice president of the National Society for Women in Science Pakistan.
Disclaimer: The article does not diagnose or treat any medical condition; it is for the purpose of awareness for medical professionals and caregivers in the light of existing evidence. Professionals must lookup for current treatment guidelines from valid resources themselves and caregivers should contact their healthcare facility in case of any medical condition. The author is not responsible in case of misuse of this article’s content.