Children more prone to mutation of Covid-19; Centre to release guidelines soon

The third wave of Covid-19 could have a larger impact on children as the virus changes behaviour, the Centre has warned in this regard and is now preparing guidelines for the same.   

“A national expert group has been formed to review COVID-19 infections in children and approach the pandemic in a renewed way so as to strengthen the nation's preparedness,” a PTI report said quoting NITI Aayog Member (Health) V K Paul. 

Paul added that the group has examined signs which were not available 4-5 months before in the mutation of Covid and its impact on the children. While considering the available data, clinical profile, the country's experience, disease dynamics, nature of the virus and the pandemic, the panel has formed guidelines, which he said will be publicly released soon, PTI said in its report. 

“COVID-19 in children is often asymptomatic and rarely requires hospitalisation. However, changes in epidemiological dynamics or viral behaviour can change the situation and increase the prevalence of infection. No undue burden has been placed on the paediatric care infrastructure so far. However, it is possible that 2-3 percent of children who get infected may need hospitalisation,” Paul said at the press conference.  

Paul while discussing the symptoms of Covid-19 in children said it likely occurs in two forms. In first case, symptoms including infection, cough, fever and pneumonia may occur, while some might require to be hospitalised.  

“In the second case, after 2-6 weeks of getting COVID, which may mostly be asymptomatic, a small proportion of children may show symptoms like fever, body rash, and inflammation of eyes or conjunctivitis, breathing troubles, diarrhoea, vomiting and so on,” he informed.  

Further, Paul said, "It may not remain restricted like pneumonia affecting lungs. It spreads to various parts of the body. This is called Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome. This is a post-Covid symptom. At this time, the virus will not be found in the body and RT-PCR test will also come negative. But antibody test will show that the child had been infected by the disease.”