Doctors urge caution on COVID treatment for children
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Doctors whereas welcoming the newest Union Health Ministry’s treatment tips for COVID administration in children, underlined the necessity to “create awareness to prevent misinterpretation which could prove counterproductive.”
The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) in its complete tips for the administration of COVID-19 amongst children has mentioned that Remdesivir shouldn’t be beneficial on this inhabitants.
The tips mentioned Remdesivir is an emergency use authorisation drug and isn’t beneficial in children. “There is lack of sufficient safety and efficacy data with respect to Remdesivir in children below 18 years of age,” the rules mentioned.
The up to date tips issued earlier this week additionally advocates for the rational use of HRCT imaging. The Ministry mentioned any further data gained from HRCT scan of the chest usually has little affect on treatment selections, that are based mostly nearly totally on medical severity and physiological impairment.
“Given the expected risk to kids in the third wave, we welcome DGHS for coming out with the all-important guideline for the management of COVID-19 in kids. However, awareness should be created so that the guideline is not misinterpreted, which would be counterproductive,” mentioned Gauri Agarwal senior gynecologist, Yashoda Hospitals in Hyderabad.
She added that these tips clearly prohibit self-medication.
“Also we must understand the basics of wearing mask and hygiene. DGHS has said children below the age of 5 should not wear a mask. It does not mean that they are not at risk. Moreover, since they’ll not be wearing a mask, it means that additional care and precautions to be taken by their guardians. Similarly, kids age 6-11 should be taught the correct use of mask and accordingly monitored by adults from time to time,” Dr. Agarwal mentioned.
Rahul Nagpal, director- Pediatrics and Neonatology at Fortis Hospital Vasant Kunj mentioned for the reason that first COVID pandemic wave, medical doctors have been utilizing the rules by the Indian Academy of Pediatrics, which discouraged the pointless use of steroids, anti-viral medication and CT scan in children.
“We welcome the guidelines for the treatment of children infected with COVID-19. With this DGHS has standardised the treatment protocol of children affected with COVID-19 across country and debunked the myths around it,” Dr. Nagpal mentioned.
Doctors additionally mentioned whereas the rules are well timed and will likely be helpful in case there is a rise within the variety of children getting contaminated, hospitals should guarantee that there’s sufficient standardised infrastructure to cater to this part of the society.
Sameer Punia, senior pediatrician, Akash Hospital mentioned, “The 6-minute walk test, prescribed by DGHS, is a valid way to check for at-risk patients but we must also ensure that there are enough Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) capabilities in the surroundings to address the child’s requirements should there be a need to admit them.”
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