Perspectives on child health and wellbeing

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has brought unparalleled challenges to the care of children and adolescents globally. India is currently second on the list of countries with highest case counts and third in terms of deaths. According to data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, as on September 1, 2020, eight percent of the cases and one percent of deaths in India have occurred in children aged under 17 years. COVID-19 appears to be milder in children than in adults, which is quite atypical for a respiratory viral infection, commonly presenting as a self- limiting febrile upper respiratory illness. However, children are still at risk of developing severe illness and complications from COVID-19. These include respiratory failure, damage to the heart, kidneys, and multi-organ system failure, just like in adults. A minority of children can also experience a serious, post-infectious inflammatory syndrome, which is specific to children, difficult to treat and can be associated with long-term consequences. The overall mortality rate due to the disease in much lower in children compared to adults.