The last few weeks have seen a disturbing trend in terms of hospitalizations of kids under 5 due to infections. The Omicron variant has spread rapidly across the country, and it has not spared even kids in the last few weeks. According to government sources, the number has increased to almost 4 in every 100,000 children. This is a cause of worry as these kids are not eligible for vaccination, and there is nothing much that the health system can do to protect the kids from the infection.
Hospitalizations Among Kids Under 5 Increase In The US
When it comes to kids in the age group of 5 to 17, the numbers were slightly better at 1 in 100,000. Experts say that pediatric hospitalizations have increased rapidly in this wave, affecting the health system. This trend was not noticed in the last wave, and doctors are worried about how it can impact the overall health condition of these kids in the long run.
The vaccination rate is not optimistic as per official data, as close to 50% of children aged 12 to 18 are yet to receive the vaccine. When it comes to children in the age group of 5 to 11, nearly 80% of them have not received a complete dose of vaccine. CDC has indicated that this trend of increase in pediatric hospitalizations is more in the states of Oregon, Georgia, and California. Apart from that, even Connecticut and Tennessee are affected badly by this new wave.
Experts have pointed out that several children were admitted for other health problems but later diagnosed with Covid 19. However, the severity of infection is less at this stage, and not many children require ICU admissions due to the infection. Most children who are infected are not showing symptoms, and they are getting hospitalized for other ailments.
Dr. Fauci indicated this trend and said that more kids might land up at the hospital as the Omicron is spreading rampantly across the US. Even though it is not that severe, it can infect many people within a short duration of time, which can cripple the health system in the next few months.
In this situation, many parents are worried about the safety of their kids at schools and other places. Even though the damage done due to the infection is not much in the case of children, experts warn that this can lead to complications with regard to obesity and diabetes in the future. Parents are concerned that children who are not eligible for vaccination are at high risk even when parents and other people at home are vaccinated.
When it comes to children who are in the age group of 12 to 18, the hospitalization reports indicate that those who did not take vaccines needed advanced life support in some cases. On the other hand, none of the children in this age group suffered from severe complications due to the infections, and they were hospitalized with mild symptoms.
The CDC has indicated that children who suffer from Covid 19 are likely to suffer from complications related to obesity and diabetes in the long run. Considering this threat, many experts are worried about the long-term implications of these infections.
Many experts believe that the virus may be affecting the pancreas in some manner, and this has an impact on the insulin-producing cells in the body. This is the reason why it can create complications related to diabetes in the long run.
As several companies are working on vaccines for kids, there is hope that the virus can be contained in the near future.
