"National alert as ‘coronavirus-related condition may be emerging in children' "

[Iwalkinmyclothing]

Reading this has made me panic far more than anything else throughout this crisis so be mindful- if, like me- you are likely to become really scared and worried at the prospect of children being at serious risk due to this maybe consider not reading this article

www.hsj.co.uk/acute-care/exclusive-national-alert-as-coronavirus-related-condition-may-be-emerging-in-children/7027496.article

I'm trying to keep but the absolute number of children affected is thought to be very small front and centre in my head since reading this but I can't seem to get on top of the fear reading this has given me. There are always plenty of people on MN who have a much better understanding of medical and public health issues than me; any of you around, reading this and able to reassure a suddenly ridiculously panicked woman?

not medical at all, but that does say it could be a rise in something else and that it has been present in children that tested positive and children who have tested negative.

so either it's something else, or the tests for covid 19 aren't that acurate.

Just about to post about this and see someone’s got there before me... Rather concerning.

I’m not really sure what to make of that. It’s not very concise.

Thank you for posting a more reputable link to this information.

It remains the case that reported statistics of covid19 deaths in children are very, very low globally. Wuhan province recorded zero deaths in the 0-9 category and New York State recorded three (all had underlying health conditions. I believe the UK still has zero deaths of 0-9 also but I have not looked recently.

It sounds like this is very rare. It does sound like it’s Covid19 related, as children without active infection seem to be showing they’ve had it previously. It’s hard to say anything else because there is no detail in the article.

What symptoms should parents be alert to?

I don't think I understand what the symptoms are supposed to look like. Is this caused by undetected silent hypoxia? Toxic shock would be high fever, vomiting etc - surely that would be referred to A&E regardless? Is there some milder version that can be picked up earlier? Should we worry about any diarrhea?

so either it's something else, or the tests for covid 19 aren't that acurate.

Agree maybe the tests but..

There’s quotes in the Guardian saying this is happening in Washington too. Terrifying.

Wuhan province recorded zero deaths in the 0-9 category and New York State recorded three (all had underlying health conditions.

ICU and illness is bad enough for kids though.

This is very frightening I really feel this is the end of us

But what are the symptoms?

Absolutely. And no one would want it for any child but the OP asked for some reassurance and the information currently available remains that children are at very low risk.

All we can do is watch and see if that remains the case.

^Both messages said: “The cases have in common overlapping features of toxic shock syndrome and atypical Kawasaki Disease with blood parameters consistent with severe COVID-19 in children.
“Abdominal pain and gastrointestinal symptoms have been a common feature as has cardiac inflammation.^

Not massively helpful to lay people I don't think, but then, not written for us- it's an alert by professionals to professionals as far as I can make out. If I am reading it right, I think it's c19 symptoms PLUS abdo pain and gastro symptoms?

“National alert” for clinicians already working in PICU is a bit different from “national alert” for parents nationwide.

@Emeeno, @kimlo, @ChipotleBlessing

Thank you . Really thank you.

@GoldenOmber

Good point. We need to remember that it stated absolute numbers are very low... If this was a major effect of Covid, this very likely wouldn’t be the case.

Perspective is vital. Children die each year in traffic accidents and of meningitis.

Amongst other things...

That is very worrying.

It might be easier to get a sense of perspective around this if we had any idea of the number of children diagnosed with COVID in the U.K.

@Derbygerbil
Not helpful.

This is in the context of us being able to better understand how a new virus might be affecting children.
The current narrative is that children are not severely affected and if that’s not the case we need to know so that we can manage the risk.

Also because Covid-19 is so new, it would make sense that a lot of things being learnt about it - including rare complications - will be coming up on our radar like this. And we will pick up on it as “this is urgent and terrifying because I don’t hear about clinicians alerting each other to flu complications for children!” But that’s not because there aren’t any flu complications for children, it’s because clinicians all already know what those are.

www.independent.co.uk/news/health/coronavirus-children-illness-nhs-doctor-warning-health-alert-a9485441.html

It’s national news now. So parents could do with a little more information if anyone is able to advise?

I feel really worried now!

I have to admit I’m not worried, where usually I would be and was very worried at the onset of this outbreak. I want to be aware and informed so I know what to look for and when to be concerned (which I imagine for parents is still all the same red flags as previously). But I have ran out of steam to actually panic!