More children getting Covid-positive, require hospitalisation

Bengaluru: Paediatricians and parents are now worried as there is a sharp increase in children testing Covid positive and developing gastroenteritis symptoms such as vomiting, loose stools and acute fatigue. In the first wave, there was either mild symptoms or no symptoms at all, but now, children require hospitalisation.

640 children were tested Covid positive on Sunday in Bengaluru and 25 have been hospitalised in Shishuka Children’s Hospital in the past three weeks. Dr Bharat Reddy, paediatric pulmonologist and hospital director said, “In the first wave, admissions were not required for a majority of Covid-positive patients, but the situation is not the same now. Covid positive children are showing symptoms of vomiting, loose stools and high-grade fever and none has chest infection as anticipated.” He added that drugs like Remdesivir are not effective on children and they are responding to conservative treatment.

“It’s tough to treat kids when their parents are also Covid positive and are under treatment elsewhere. These children have to be on their own and we manage them all in a large room, with nursing support. Currently, we have 10 children and two are on oxygen”, said Dr Prakash Vemagal, head of paediatrics, Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Bannerghatta Road.

Doctors have warned not to ignore the signs of vomiting and loose stools in kids.

The hospital had around 20 admissions by the end of April. Most paediatric patients were discharged within 4-6 days depending on their recovery.

Dr Srinivas S, paediatrician and chairman of National IMA standing committee for child health said, “Children get infected through parents who are moving around. We keep advising parents not to hug children when they enter home from outside without washing hands. Children get infected and spread the virus to grandparents with whom they are in close proximity. The virus spreads easily from one kid to another as they don’t maintain physical distance and mask usage is limited among them.” He added that most parents don’t get their children tested. He insists that parents should get their kids tested if they have any symptoms.

Doctors also highlight that post-Covid recovery could have the chances of kids developing Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MISC) which is associated with Covid-19. Dr Reddy said, “MISC is usually seen  2-3 weeks after infection. We don’t know how the double mutant virus will react. Typical symptoms would be swelling in hands, feet, high-grade fever, tastes, red eyes and past history of Covid infection. Parents must watch out for symptoms and consult with a paediatrician immediately.”