Covid-19 in children is still moderate, says pediatrician in online session

Children have been only moderately affected by the novel coronavirus and only one to two per cent of those who contracted the disease required hospitalisation during the Covid pandemic outbreak 1-2 per cent had to go for hospitalization, says a senior pediatrician.

“Covid-19 in children is still moderate. Though children are vulnerable to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, still the majority of them are asymptomatic and only 1-2 per cent had to go for hospitalization,” says Prof R Somasekar, Professor of Pediatrics from SBMCH, Chennai and Executive Board Member, Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP).

Dr Somasekar was among those who participated in a a half-day online session on Covid-19 in children on Friday organised by CSIR’s new entity, the CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (NIScPR), New Delhi.

The session was focused on the recent second wave outbreak and the impact of Covid-19 on children, threats and necessary protocols required for the safety of children.

The program was virtually attended by about 150 delegates including several dignitaries, faculty members, researchers and scientists, and students from various schools.

Dr Somasekar cautioned the parents about the chances of transmission of infection from adults, and the increasing gastrointestinal symptoms among children these days. He explained how to identify and differentiate the Covid-19 symptoms from other flu and the common cold.

The pediatrician further said, “COVID-19 has so far not affected children much in India but for the state Karnataka, and discussed various COVID treatment options for children. Taking the session forward he suggested some measures to adopt in our day-to-day life: physical exercise, playing with kids, avoiding junk food, good sleep, wearing masks, a balanced diet, and age-appropriate vaccination.”

He advised parents to have a close watch for symptoms and changes in behaviour of children.