Children may be next soft target: Expert

Our Correspondent

Hoshiarpur, June 24

“The children were never thought to be the face of this pandemic globally. However, with various viral mutations occurring with an impending dearth of vaccinations for children they are thought to be the next soft targets for the SARS CoV II.”

Dr Manu Sharma, consultant-paediatrics and neonatology consultant at Max Hospital, said this during an online awareness talk. He said as per the medical data of UNICEF available, children are at the lowest risk of developing serious disease and contribute to just 4 per cent of the total hospital admissions globally. It is the blow to their psycho-social development that we need to ponder.

Only a minute proportion of children develops severe disease or requires hospitalisation, but the pandemic has disrupted the life-saving health services which include vaccinations, well-baby clinics, and normal antenatal care (pregnancy care). A delay in treatment for elective procedures and ongoing treatment for chronic illness has also affected the health of many.

The children are also deprived of outdoor physical activities and play time, this lack of exercise is leading to health issues such as obesity and future risk of metabolic syndrome. A peculiar rise in screen time and addiction to the internet is also noticed in children. When this is coupled with inadequate parental surveillance it exposes the child to an ocean of content that has positive and negative long-lasting impacts.

In an attempt to stay connected with their peer’s children spend a lot of time on social media. This in particular is responsible for increased incidences of cyberbullying. The reports directly relate this to increased anxiety, stress, low self-esteem, and even suicidal tendencies in children. The advertisements also make children vulnerable to indulge in alcohol, smoking, and drugs.

It is very correctly said that man is a social animal, this isolation and social distancing has been challenging for everybody. Being deprived of their peers and mates has led to drastic behavioral changes in kids. There is acute compromise for outdoor activities and most of the children across the globe are deprived of playtime which essentially inculcates the habits of healthy competition and team spirit. An amalgam of undue aggression and depression is on the rise in children, especially in teens. The key signs observed are changes in eating and sleep patterns. It is really important to talk to your teens or child if any such behavior is observed.