NITI Aayog Member Dr VK Paul Addresses Concerns Over COVID-19 in Children

COVID-19 in children: Dr VK Paul, who is currently serving as a member of the NITI Aayog, addressed various concerns over COVID-19 in children. He was speaking at a press briefing.

Dr Paul said that COVID-19 in children has been found two ways. In the first, children have reported pneumonia-like symptoms, while in the second, some of the recent cases have had multi-inflammatory symptoms. The doctor elaborated that the virus is capable of changing its behaviour, in the pediatric population, and that the impact COVID-19 might increase in them. However, he added that a lower number of children are being admitted to hospitals.

Further he said "I am happy to report to you that we are working very systematically, comprehensively to address the problem of paediatric Covid disease for now as well as in the future. We will strengthen our facilities as required and do an audit of what is required and what might be required in a worst-case scenario."

But the virus may change its behaviour in the pediatric population. The impact of #COVID19 may increase in children. The data has shown that a low number of children are being admitted to hospitals. We're pushing preparedness: Dr. VK Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog

— ANI (@ANI) June 1, 2021

#COVID19 in children has been found in 2 ways— In first they have reported pneumonia-like symptoms. In second, some cases of a multi inflammatory syndrome found among children who recently recovered from C0VID19: Dr. VK Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog

— ANI (@ANI) June 1, 2021

He also spoke about children being asymptomatic, and getting very mild symptoms. "Our focus on childhood Covid disease is gaining our attention. The pediatric population is generally asymptomatic. They often get infections but their symptoms are minimal or nill. The infection has not taken serious shape in children," said Dr VK Paul.

Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome In Children

According to a study by Ermias D. Belay, Joseph Abrams, and Matthew E. Oster, published in JAMA Pediatrics, Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C) can be seen in young patients previously infected with COVID-19. MIS-C is an inflammatory syndrome that is seen in those people who did not show any symptom, or only showed mild symptoms when they were infected with Covid-19. This inflammatory condition often emerged in teenagers and children weeks after getting infected with the novel coronavirus.

No Vaccine for Children yet

Dr Paul had earlier said that clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy of Covaxin, in children aged 2-18 years will be starting soon.

“Covaxin has been approved by the Drugs Controller General of India for phase 2/3 clinical trials in the age group of 2 to 18 years. I have been told that trials will begin in the next 10-12 days,” he said.

Bharat Biotech had confirmed that they will be starting with the Phase 2/3 clinical trial of Covaxin in the month of June. The permission for the same was granted by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) on May 13.