No reason to believe third wave will affect children: Expert
In an interview, Dr. NK Arora, Chairman of India's COVID-19 Working Group of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI), said Indian data does not show specific predilection of the currently circulating virus strains either for the youth or pediatric age group. "There is no reason to believe that children will be disproportionately affected by the coronavirus in the next wave," he added.
Treatment protocols for children are under review: Dr. Arora
Arora stressed the need to improve the pediatric COVID-19 services and align with the rest of the COVID-19 management framework. "Children below ten years need either mother or father or a care provider with them. Similarly, infected pregnant women can deliver prematurely. I am given to understand that treatment protocols are prepared and are under review by different pediatric groups and associations," he said.
Views regarding COVID-19 in children are divided
Some experts are highlighting the need for preparation warning that children could be affected by the third wave more than adults. AIIMS Director Randeep Guleria has also said that there was no indication that children will be severely affected in the third wave. "Children are usually protected and even if they contract it, they only have a mild infection," he told reporters on Monday.
Receptors responsible for contracting infection are relatively less in children
There is a hypothesis that the virus enters through ACE receptors in the body and these are relatively less in children as compared to adults resulting in fewer infections in children. "Those who floated the theory said that children have yet not been affected so perhaps they will be most affected in the third wave but so far, there is no evidence," Guleria added.
NCPCR wants government to ramp up preparations to protect children
The Indian Academy of Pediatrics recently said though children appear as susceptible as adults, it is highly unlikely that the third wave will predominantly or exclusively affect children. The country's apex child rights body National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has also said that the Centre and states should ramp up their preparations to protect children and neonatal.
