Emotional Intelligence To Kids

CoronaVirus Updates

'Very sick kids': Delta threat looms over US school reopenings

<br>Doctors are raising the alarm. "I will say what I'm hearing from my pediatrician colleagues and particularly in areas where infection rates are high is that they are seeing very sick kids," Lee Savio Beers, President of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said in public comments Friday.The new infections among children were recorded in seven days leading up to July 29, up from 39,000 the week prior, according to a study out from the American Academy of Pediatrics.The troubling data are coming in as US schools are readying to open their doors for the Fall term. There's no Covid-19 vaccine yet for kids below 12 years, mask mandates are a patchwork of 50 states' political calculus, and the Delta variant is surging among the unvaccinated.The US is now averaging over 109,000 new daily cases. That's the highest it's been since February this year. These numbers are coming on top of robust vaccination numbers: At least 70 per cent of those above 18 have got at least one dose; 60 per cent of adults are fully vaccinated. But nothing has changed for the under-12 cohort. There's no shot for them yet. Pfizer's senior vice president of vaccine development said in a video interview today that the company is likely to file for an emergency use authorization for the under-12s only by October.Until then, masks are the only armour for students under 12 years. Public policy remains complicated. California, Louisiana, New Jersey, Oregon and Washington state either plan to or have already announced that they would require universal masking on campus for students and teachers regardless of vaccination status. But there are nearly a dozen states that have gone in the other extreme direction and banned masks requirements in public schools."What are the harmful effects of putting a kindergartener in a mask for seven hours? Have they talked about the emotional, the academic, the physiological? Why isn't CDC studying that?" asks Florida's Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, clashing routinely with White House guidance.For a full year ending January 2021, CDC data showed children 15 and under had the lowest infection rates. That has changed now. School-age children between the ages of 5-11 and 12-15 have infection rates higher than adults 50 and older."We failed our kids all along. We're failing our kids all over again," emergency physician Leana Wen told Deadline White House.--IANS<br>nikhila/int/pgh
CoronaVirus Updates

Long-lasting Covid-19 symptoms rare in kids: Study

London, Aug 4 (IANS) Most children with Covid-19 recover within a week, only a small percentage have long-term symptoms, according to a study published in the journal Lancet Child and Adolescent Health.The study, by researchers at King's College London, showed that less than one in 20 children with symptomatic Covid-19 experienced symptoms lasting longer than four weeks, and almost all children have fully recovered by eight weeks.The most common symptoms reported in children were headaches, tiredness (fatigue), a sore throat, and loss of smell (anosmia).Reassuringly, there were no reports of serious neurological symptoms such as fits or seizures, impaired concentration or attention, or anxiety, the findings showed."It is reassuring that the number of children experiencing long-lasting symptoms of Covid-19 symptoms is low. Nevertheless, a small number of children do experience long illness with Covid-19, and our study validates the experiences of these children and their families," said Professor Emma Duncan, from King's College in London.The team looked at daily health reports logged in the ZOE Covid Symptom Study app by parents or carers on behalf of more than 250,000 children aged 5-17, with nearly 7,000 having symptoms consistent with Covid-19 and a positive test.The team focused on the period from September 2020 through to February 2021.During this time, 1,734 children were reported who had a clear start and end point to their symptoms and a positive Covid PCR test.On average, the illness lasted for five days in younger children (5 to 11 years old) and seven days in older children aged 12 to 17.Fewer than one in 20 experienced symptoms for 4 weeks or more, while only one in fifty had symptoms lasting more than 8 weeks.The researchers also assessed the children who tested negative for Covid-19 who may have had other childhood illnesses, such as colds and flu.To do this, they randomly selected a group of age-matched and gender-matched children with symptoms reported through the app who were tested at the same time as the positive children.Children with Covid-19 were ill for longer compared to children with other illnesses who tested negative for Covid-19 (an average of 6 days' illness with Covid-19 v/s 3 days with other illnesses) and were more likely to be ill for more than four weeks.However, at four weeks, the small number of children with other illnesses tended to have more symptoms than those who were ill with Covid-19 (average 5 symptoms in Covid-negative group v/s 2 symptoms in Covid-positive group).--IANSrvt/in
Nirog Health Tips

How to Deal With 'Long

Coronavirus has left a scar on our minds, and its impact is not only felt by adults but kids as well. The concept of 'long Covid 19' is not well defined yet, but there are several research papers that highlight the long-term effects of Covid-19 on various age groups. Children who have battled Covid-19 are coming back to hospitals with post-Covid 19 symptoms like persistent headaches, fatigue, abdominal pain, gastric issues, heart palpitations, difficulty to sleep, muscle pain, loss of smell, and Tachycardia (increased heart rate). This symptom typically manifests after 2-4 weeks of the initial infection and may last for weeks to months. Kumar Salvi, Consultant Paediatrics and Neonatology, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi, and Asmita Mahajan, Consultant Neonatology and Paediatrics, SL Raheja Hospital, Mahim, to know more about it: Risk Factors For Kids- Adolescents and teenagers may be prone to witness long Covid-19 symptoms. Moreover, children with higher BMI or Obesity are at higher risk of experiencing long Covid-19. Initially, we were under the impression that long Covid-19 can occur in kids having acute infections. However, that has changed over time, and we see a lot of children with asymptomatic and mild infections also experiencing long Covid-19. Having said that it is important to note, that kids experiencing such symptoms should be properly screened by medical experts, as many of these could be a result of mental health issues induced by the lockdown and pandemic. There are studies that indicate that isolation and lockdown have resulted in mental health issues among kids, further resulting in headaches, fatigue, anger, misbehaviour, and similar issues. Parents and doctors need to ensure proper diagnosis of these health ailments. Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C) A Cause Of Many Such Long Covid-19 Issues in Kids- MIS-C in children is a condition where different body parts can become inflamed, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs. We know that many children with MIS-C had the Covid-19 virus or had been around someone with Covid-19. When a child's immune system reacts extensively to fight the virus in such cases, the immune system adopts in abnormal ways to fight the disease and that's when organs start to get inflamed causing MIS-C. MIS-C can be serious, even deadly, but most children diagnosed with this condition have gotten better with medical care. Symptoms Of MIS-C Signs and symptoms of MIS-C in children include: High-grade fever that lasts 24 hours or longer Vomiting Diarrhoea Pain in the stomach Skin rash Feeling unusually tired Fast heartbeat Rapid breathing Red eyes Redness or swelling of the lips and tongue Redness or swelling of the hands or feet Headache, dizziness, or light-headedness Diagnosis and Treatment Of MIS-C- If MIS-C is suspected, a diagnostic or antibody test for Covid-19 can help confirm current or past infection with the virus, which aids in diagnosis and treatment. Tests Your Doctor May Prescribe, To Look For Inflammation Or Other Signs Of The Disease, Include: CBC Blood tests C-reactive protein test Chest X-ray Heart ultrasound (echocardiogram) Abdominal ultrasound Usually, supportive care for symptoms that is, medicine and/or fluids are given to make your child feel better, coupled with various medicines to treat inflammation. Most children who become ill with MIS-C will need to be treated in the hospital. To treat this condition normally, Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) to improve antibody content or steroids in appropriate dosages is given. All these medications are given, and the children are kept under observation. Some children may need to be treated in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (ICU) if they are severely ill. Read More► Monsoon Hair Care Tips
CoronaVirus Updates

Over 75K kids either lost one/both parents in Covid, SC told

New Delhi, July 27 (IANS) The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has informed the Supreme Court that over 75,000 children have either lost one parent or became an orphan during the Covid-19 pandemic and are in need of care and protection.In an additional affidavit, the child rights body said the number of children who have lost either their mother or father or both parents between April 1, 2020, to July 23, 2021, is based upon the information uploaded on "Bal Swaraj" portal up to July 23. The child rights body said total of 75,320 children have become orphans or lost either parent amid the pandemic, and this also includes 247 children, who were abandoned. It said that of all the children affected due to the pandemic, those in the age group 8-13 years were the highest, at 29,886. Elaborating on data collected from various states, the NCPCR said in Maharashtra, 13,589 children were affected, followed by Odisha where 6,562 children were affected, and Andhra Pradesh, where 6,210 children were affected.The affidavit said: "In some cases, while examining the data, the Commission has observed that the schemes/benefits being given to the child or his/her family were inadequate and the Commission observed that there could be other government implemented schemes under which the child or his family/guardian could get benefits."The NCPCR said it is presently in the process of examining data, which has been uploaded by the states/UTs on the Bal Swaraj portal for purpose of ensuring that all benefits for which each child is entitled are being given adequately. "Wherever there is some discrepancy or lacunae being identified by the NCPCR, a letter is being issued to the concerned district authority to rectify the discrepancy and to ensure care and protection to the child," it said in the affidavit.The child rights body said that it is pertinent to mention, until and unless the individual childcare plan of each child is prepared and orders of the Child Welfare Committee are passed, the clear picture regarding needs and requirements of these children are difficult to examine. The affidavit was submitted in the suo motu case taken up by the top court in connection with spread of Covid-19 in children protection homes. The case was initiated in March 2020, and in this year, amid the second wave, the top court took note of the issue of children who became orphans during the pandemic.It has appointed advocate Gaurav Agarwal as amicus curiae in the matter.--IANSss/vd
CoronaVirus Updates

Biden believes kids under 12 will be able to get Covid jabs soon

New Delhi/Washington, July 22 (IANS) US President Joe Biden said that children under the age of 12 could be eligible to receive a Covid 19 vaccine "soon", predicting that his government could green light the rollout for young Americans in the next few months."Soon, I believe," Biden told CNN on Wednesday when he as asked when would children under 12 would be able to get the Covid-19 vaccine. "Soon, in the sense that I do not tell any scientists what they should do. I do not interfere. So, they are doing the examinations now, the testing now, and making the decision now," he said, adding that scientists will make a decision "when they are ready" and have "done all the science that needs to be done" to determine the appropriate vaccination for different age groups. America's top infectious disease expert, Anthony Fauci said on Tuesday it was "very likely" that data about Covid-19 vaccines in children under 12 may be available by early winter. "Very likely when you do the age de-escalation study, so we've gone from 12 to nine, nine to six, six to two and then six months to two years, likely by late fall, early winter, we'll have enough data," Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said at a Senate hearing. "But that doesn't mean that then it's all of a sudden going to be allowed to happen. That will be a regulatory decision that the FDA will have to make," he said. Biden also indicated that he expects the Covid-19 vaccines, which currently are approved under emergency use authorization, to get full approval from the US Food and Drug Administration "quickly". "The expectation, they're not promising me any specific date, but my expectation talking to the group of scientists we put together ... is that sometime, maybe in the beginning of the school year, at the end of August, beginning of September, October, they'll get a final approval saying the (US Food and Drug Administration) said, 'No, this is it. It's good'." Stressing that he doesn't "tell any scientist what they should do," Biden told CNN that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will likely issue guidance saying "everyone under the age of 12 should probably be wearing a mask in school" .Currently, none of the three Covid-19 vaccines used in the US is available to children under the age of 12. With many schools across the US now just weeks from reopening for the fall semester, Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson are still conducting clinical trials to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the vaccines in children under 12. Data for children ages five to 11 could come sometime in September, and depending on the findings, Pfizer told CNN that it could ask the FDA to authorise emergency use of the vaccine that same month. Data for the two to five-year-olds could arrive soon after. For the youngest children, Pfizer said it could potentially get data in October or November, and shortly thereafter ask the FDA to authorise emergency use. So far, almost 4.09 million children in the US have tested positive for Covid-19 since the onset of the pandemic, according to a latest report of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Children's Hospital Association.--IANSsan/ksk/
Research

Complications in kids hospitalised with

London, July 17 (IANS) Although the risk of a child being admitted to hospital due to Covid-19 is small, a new UK study has found that around 1 in 20 children hospitalised with Covid developed brain or nerve complications linked to the viral infection. The research, published in The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health, identifies a wide spectrum of neurological complications in children and suggests they may be more common than in adults admitted with Covid-19. "The risk of a child being admitted to hospital due to COVID-19 is small, but among those hospitalised, brain and nerve complications occur in almost 4 per cent," said researcher Stephen Ray from the University of Liverpool. "Our nationwide study confirms that children with the novel post-infection hyper-inflammatory syndrome PIMS-TS can have brain and nerve problems; but we have also identified a wide spectrum of neurological disorders in children due to Covid-19 who didn't have PIMS-TS," Ray added. While neurological problems have been reported in children with the newly described post-Covid condition paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2 (PIMS-TS), the capacity of Covid-19 to cause a broad range of nervous system complications in children has been under-recognised. To address this, the researchers developed a real-time UK-wide notification system in partnership with the British Paediatric Neurology Association. Between April 2020 and January 2021, they identified 52 cases of children less than 18 years old with neurological complications among 1,334 children hospitalised with Covid-19, giving an estimated prevalence of 3.8 per cent. This compares to an estimated prevalence of 0.9 per cent in adults admitted with Covid-19. Eight (15 per cent) children presenting with neurological features did not have Covid-19 symptoms although the virus was detected by PCR, underscoring the importance of screening children with acute neurological disorders for the virus. For the first time, the study identified key differences between those with PIMS-TS versus those with non-PIMS-TS neurological complications. The 25 children (48 per cent) diagnosed with PIMS-TS displayed multiple neurological features including encephalopathy, stroke, behavioural change, and hallucinations; they were more likely to require intensive care. Conversely, the non-PIMS-TS 27 (52 per cent) children had a primary neurological disorder such as prolonged seizures, encephalitis (brain inflammation), Guillain-BarrA¿ syndrome and psychosis. In almost half of these cases, this was a recognised post-infectious neuro-immune disorder, compared to just one child in the PIMS-TS group, suggesting that different immune mechanisms are at work. Short-term outcomes were good in two-thirds (65 per cent) although a third (33 per cent) had some degree of disability and one child died at the time of follow-up. However, the impacts on the developing brain and longer-term consequences are not yet known.