The World Health Organization recognizes that COVID-19 can cause prolonged illness in adults and children without underlying health conditions. Children may be impacted by
COVID inflammatory syndrome. Children with this syndrome experience physical symptoms like rash, abdominal pain, red eyes, low blood pressure, and heart problems. Many parts of the body including the lungs, brain, kidneys, and gut can become inflamed following a COVID-19 infection. A recent report has found that a significant number of children with the COVID inflammatory syndrome experience neurological symptoms. Neurological symptoms from this syndrome include hallucinations, confusion, speech impairments, and coordination issues. The study analyzed 46 children in London, and found that half of these kids experienced neurological symptoms. Additionally, the children experiencing neurological symptoms were more likely to require the assistance of ventilators.
The Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) condition typically emerges 2-6 weeks after becoming infected with COVID-19. This syndrome occurs very rarely, but can be very severe. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that there are currently 3,165 cases, and 36 deaths. The findings from the study suggest that the syndrome is correlated with the body’s immune response to COVID-19.
In the United States, doctors have also found neurological symptoms in children with MIS-C. In a study from March 2021, 126 of 616 children with the syndrome were admitted to hospitals for neurological issues. A notable finding found from this research is that a majority of those impacted by this syndrome are people of color.
As of now, doctors studying this health event plan to follow patients with the syndrome. They will conduct brain scans and cognitive assessments to analyze whether these children will experience long-term cognitive or psychological effects.
Researchers have been urging policymakers and healthcare officials to turn their focus towards children. It has been proven by these studies that children who contract COVID-19 may suffer long-term health effects. As of now, children have been overlooked in COVID-19 studies. The majority of the focus has been on preventing death or severe side-effects of COVID-19 in adults. However, it is more important now than ever to also give attention to children that are suffering from the long-term effects of COVID-19 since nearly 3.17 million children in the U.S have tested positive for COVID-19.
As schools begin to open up again, it is recommended that parents and teachers should recognize the difficulties that children have endured during the pandemic. Studies have found that children and young people are reported to be more fearful about their future than before. Parents should also be cautious about not pushing children with Long COVID-19 to do too much, especially physical exercises. Parents that suspect that their child may have Long COVID-19 are recommended to keep a note of their child through symptom trackers, which is something Numinis offers to members. Symptom trackers are beneficial for increasing efficiency and communication at doctor visits. Advocacy groups like Long Covid Kids may provide the most updated information regarding research and treatment.
To accelerate the progress and treatment of Long COVID-19, please consider signing this petition or donate to Numinis.
