Early summer brought a decline in new coronavirus cases in kids, but the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Children's Hospital Association say the trend reversed in July and numbers began steadily ticking upward as doctors and scientists scramble to both treat and understand this troubling spread, fueled by the highly transmissible Delta variant.
Not only has Delta rattled our collective equilibrium just as we thought vaccines could turn the tide of COVID-19, it's shaken up our complacency about the risk that the novel coronavirus poses to children.
A reassuringly small number of patients under age 18 were hospitalized with COVID-19 compared to adults during the first waves of the pandemic, and symptoms tended to be mild, if any. But Delta paints a sobering new picture: by early August new hospital pediatric COVID admissions saw a 20% increase from the numbers seen during the winter peak, with hospitals across infection hotspots reporting isolated deaths of children from complications due to the virus.
Evidence now suggests that children and teens can transmit the virus as readily as adults, and run a similar risk for suffering the lingering symptoms of severe fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal conditions, and pulmonary and cardiovascular issues known as "Long COVID." Particularly concerning is the possibility of MIS-C, or Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome linked to COVID infection in children, characterized by prolonged infection, fever, pain, and inflammation of multiple organs. It can occur weeks after exposure.
Deborah Heart and Lung Center Cara Garofalo, MD, Chair of Pediatric Cardiology says MIS-C is one of several ways COVID can affect the heart of a child or teen.
"In MIS-C, we sometimes see decreased function of the heart muscle, in some cases involvement of the coronary arteries," she explains. "There are also cases of heart muscle inflammation from COVID outside of MIS-C. There are also potential effects on the autonomic nervous system, the part of the nervous system that controls heart rate and blood pressure responses."
Doctors and infectious disease experts are studying every new data point to gain a clearer understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on children and teens. However, the CDC recommendations for the best way to prevent its spread remain the same: mask up in schools and other crowded venues, and make sure everyone age 12 and older in the household is vaccinated against COVID-19.
KYW's Rasa Kaye talks with Dr. Garofalo about what else parents and caregivers need to know about COVID-19 and kids' hearts, as families send their youngest members back to the classroom.
To schedule an appointment, visit DemandDeborah.org or call 609-831-4456.
