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Published on: November 7, 2020
Fifteen-minute consultation: Does this child have COVID-19 (and does it matter)?
Caroline Ponmani1, Damian Roland2,3
1Paediatric Emergency Medicine, Barking, Havering and Redbridge Hospitals NHS Trust, Romford, UK caroline.ponmani@nhs.net.
Insights
Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) rarely causes severe illness in children. However, a new inflammatory condition linked to COVID-19 requires careful assessment and management by pediatricians.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Virology
Background:
- Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in January 2020.
- The virus rapidly spread globally, impacting various populations.
- Initial observations suggested children were less severely affected by SARS-CoV-2.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on children.
- To provide an overview of testing and treatment strategies for pediatric COVID-19 cases.
- To assist acute pediatricians in making informed clinical decisions.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on SARS-CoV-2 in pediatric populations.
- Synopsis of diagnostic testing approaches for pediatric COVID-19.
- Summary of available treatment options for children with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Main Results:
- SARS-CoV-2 generally causes mild illness in younger age groups.
- An emerging inflammatory syndrome associated with COVID-19 in children presents a diagnostic challenge.
- Evidence on the broader systemic effects of the pandemic on children is accumulating.
Conclusions:
- Pediatricians need updated information on SARS-CoV-2 in children.
- Awareness of the associated inflammatory condition is crucial for timely diagnosis and management.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the long-term impact of SARS-CoV-2 on child health.
Abstract:
SARS-CoV-2 was identified as a new virus in January 2020 following reports of pneumonia of unknown aetiology from China. Since then, the virus has spread rapidly throughout the world. While evidence accumulates on the collateral damage to children as a result of system changes, SARS-CoV-2 appears to rarely cause serious illness in younger age groups. However, the emergence of an inflammatory condition associated with COVID-19 has complicated initial assessment. We present a summary of how the virus has affected children with a synopsis of testing and treatment to help acute paediatricians make informed decisions.
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