Health experts have warned of a rise in the number of children suffering from the long-term effects of Covid-19.
The increase in young people with symptoms of long Covid coincides with a global rise in Covid-19 infections among children.
The easing of travel restrictions and many children being unable to receive a vaccine are among the main reasons for the trend, doctors told The National.
“I am expecting to see more long Covid in children just as we are seeing in other countries,” said Professor Philip Fischer, a paediatrician based in Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, Abu Dhabi.
“Long Covid is an issue but it is not prevalent yet but we have already seen an increase in inflammatory issues among children that have tested positive.”
Symptoms to look out for
He said common symptoms of long Covid to be aware of included fatigue, dizziness and brain fog, which he described as an inability to think straight.
An increase in Covid-19 infections among children was not surprising to Professor Fischer, given the relaxation of travel restrictions in the wake of global vaccination programmes.
“I am expecting to see more children infected but hopefully not as many getting sick and dying as we saw in adults,” he said, speaking on the sidelines of the Arab Heath trade exhibition in Dubai’s World Trade Centre.
UAE's school vaccination drive:
“We will see more long-hauler kids as children are just as vulnerable as anyone else who has not been vaccinated.
“Unless they have underlying health conditions they are less likely to get sick and die from Covid-19 though.
“However, less likely does not mean impossible.”
Evidence of rise in numbers
Global studies have shown there is increasing evidence that cases of long Covid-19 among children are on the up.
A team of international scientists performed a study on more than 500 children who were admitted to a Moscow hospital suffering from Covid-19 earlier this year.
The results of the study, conducted by the International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infection Consortium (Isaric), showed that almost a quarter of children (24 per cent), had symptoms more than five months since being discharged from hospital.
Data published recently by the UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS) suggested 13 per cent of under 11s and around 15 per cent of 12-to 16-year-olds had reported at least one symptom five weeks after testing positive for the virus.
Another UAE-based doctor said a very small number of children who made a recovery from Covid-19 now had a condition called mis-c (multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children).
“No exact data is available but the case numbers are not very significant,” said Dr Sandeep Kuchi, paediatrics specialist with Aster Hospital, Al Qusais.
“All over the world the number of children being infected with Covid-19 is increasing but there is no need to panic.
“The severity of infection among children has been much less so far compared to adults.”
A Dubai-based paediatrician said long Covid tended to be rare among young children.
“It is much more noticeable among teenagers than small children,” said Dr Danny Alsalloum, Medcare Women and Children Hospital, Dubai.
“The majority of cases involve symptoms of a gastric problem or fatigue.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
match details
Wales v Hungary
Cardiff City Stadium, kick-off 11.45pm
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo
Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic
Power: 242bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Price: Dh136,814
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Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
THE DETAILS
Director: Milan Jhaveri
Producer: Emmay Entertainment and T-Series
Cast: John Abraham, Manoj Bajpayee
Rating: 2/5
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Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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Cultural fiesta
What: The Al Burda Festival
When: November 14 (from 10am)
Where: Warehouse421, Abu Dhabi
The Al Burda Festival is a celebration of Islamic art and culture, featuring talks, performances and exhibitions. Organised by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, this one-day event opens with a session on the future of Islamic art. With this in mind, it is followed by a number of workshops and “masterclass” sessions in everything from calligraphy and typography to geometry and the origins of Islamic design. There will also be discussions on subjects including ‘Who is the Audience for Islamic Art?’ and ‘New Markets for Islamic Design.’ A live performance from Kuwaiti guitarist Yousif Yaseen should be one of the highlights of the day.
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Women%E2%80%99s%20T20%20World%20Cup%20Qualifier
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs: 2019 Haval H6
Price, base: Dh69,900
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 197hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 315Nm @ 2,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
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UAE rugby in numbers
5 - Year sponsorship deal between Hesco and Jebel Ali Dragons
700 - Dubai Hurricanes had more than 700 playing members last season between their mini and youth, men's and women's teams
Dh600,000 - Dubai Exiles' budget for pitch and court hire next season, for their rugby, netball and cricket teams
Dh1.8m - Dubai Hurricanes' overall budget for next season
Dh2.8m - Dubai Exiles’ overall budget for next season
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