More kids are getting positive in the second wave of the pandemic, require hospitalisation

Bengaluru: Paediatricians and parents are now concerned as the cases are increasing and more kids are developing gastroenteritis symptoms like vomiting, loose motions and acute fatigue. During the first wave last year, kids had mild infection or no symptoms but now they are being hospitalised.

640 children were tested Covid positive on Sunday in Bengaluru and 25 have been admitted in the past three weeks in Shishuka Children’s Speciality Hospital. Dr Bharat Reddy, paediatric pulmonologist and hospital director said, “In the first wave, admission was 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 is not working on children and they require conservative treatment.

Dr Prakash Vemagal, head of paediatrics, Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Banerghatta Road affirmed that it is tough to treat kids especially when both of their parents are covid positive and are under treatment somewhere else. He said, “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.”

The hospital has had more than 20 admissions by the end of April. Most paediatric patients were discharged within 4-6 days, based on the recovery.

There are 3 patients in the paediatric ward of Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences and the youngest is a 4-year-old boy. Doctors warn that parents must not ignore the symptoms of vomiting and loose motion.

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 also said that there are parents who do not get their kids tested. If they did, the data with the state health department would be overwhelmed. He said any kid with symptoms must be tested for Covid.

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