The most common symptoms of COVID-19 in children include headache, fatigue, fever, sore throats, loss of appetite, diarrhea and unusual skin rash. In some cases, children also experience a loss of sense of taste or smell and develop a cough.
According to an article published in The Health Site, some experts have indicated that there is a possibility of neurological symptoms in children recovered from COVID-19 infection.
Previously only reported in adult patients, new cases may be indicative of the fact that neurological impact of COVID-19 may be prevalent in pediatric patients too.
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has reported the first case of coronary virus infection of an 11-year-old girl with brain nerve damage, which led to her blurred vision.
Currently, the doctors in the child neurology department are preparing a report on her health that is to be published soon.
“We have found Covid-19 infection-induced Acute Demyelinating Syndrome (ADS) in an 11-year-old girl. This is the first case that has been reported in the paediatric age group,” said the draft of the report.
“This girl came to us with a lack of vision. ADS was seen doing MRI, which is a new expression. However, we now understand that the corona virus specifically affects the brain and lungs. We have now planned to publish the report of this case because we have found that such a condition is due to corona infection.”Dr. Shefali Gulati, Chief of the Department of Pediatrics, Child Neurology Division of AIIMS
ADS leads to the damage of myelin, a protective covering for the nerves of our body, ensuring smooth and quick transfer of messages from the brain to other parts of the body. This disrupts brain signals and lead to other neurological symptoms like loss of vision, muscle movement, senses, bladder and bowel movement, etc.
It is important to note that the girl regained almost 50 per cent of her vision after immunotherapy and has been discharged from hospital.
Doctors at AIIMS are also studying another COVID-19-positive 13-year-old who complained of encephalopathy (swelling of brain) and fever.
In previous research, it was established that epilepsy, encephalitis, Kawasaki-like disease and Guillain-barre syndrome some complications that COVID-19 positive children may experience. These conditions might result in a long-term neurodevelopment outcome.
(With inputs from TheHealthSite)
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