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| International Journal of Clinical Pediatrics, ISSN 1927-1255 print, 1927-1263 online, Open Access |
| Article copyright, the authors; Journal compilation copyright, Int J Clin Pediatr and Elmer Press Inc |
| Journal website https://www.theijcp.org |
Editorial
Volume 11, Number 1, March 2022, page 1
Omicron Variant and Children
Itzhak Brook
Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington DC, USA
Manuscript submitted January 11, 2022, accepted January 12, 2022, published online March 29, 2022
Short title: Omicron Variant and Children
doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/ijcp474
As the COVID-19 Omicron variant has been cases spiking around the world, more children have been tested positive to it [1, 2]. However, this has not yet correlated with an increased number of children admitted to hospitals that occurred during the recent delta variant wave. Early data suggest that the Omicron variant appears to cause less severe illness in children than previous variants of the virus.
Because of the high transmissibility of Omicron and the low rate of vaccination in children, it is expected that many children will contract the virus [3]. Even if Omicron will be found to be less virulent than previous variants of the virus, its high rate of infectivity is likely to lead to an increase in the number of hospitalization and with it sever illnesses in children. Children may also serve as spreader of the virus to others.
It is therefore prudent that pediatricians stay vigilant and encourage parents to have their children get vaccinated against COVID-19 (when they qualify), and practice safe behavior that includes wearing masks and avoid settings where they may be exposed to the virus. Children should also be tested for the virus if they have been exposed to the virus or manifest symptoms.
Acknowledgments
None to declare.
Financial Disclosure
None to declare.
Conflict of Interest
None to declare.
Data Availability
The author declares that data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article.
| References | ▴Top |
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doi - Lima DGS, Figueiredo TMR, Pereira YTG, Almino M, Pereira LM, de Menezes HL, Araujo JEB, et al. The effects of the silence on south African children and adolescents against a global alert on the newly identified coronavirus variant: Omicron. J Pediatr Nurs. 2021.
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