NHS doctors have been issued an urgent alert about a sharp rise in the number of children being admitted to intensive care with a serious condition that may be linked to coronavirus.
In an alert sent to GPs, health chiefs at an NHS board in London said: "There is growing concern that a [COVID-19] related inflammatory syndrome is emerging in children in the UK.
"Over the last three weeks there has been an apparent rise in the number of children of all ages presenting with a multi-system inflammatory state requiring intensive care across London and also in other regions of the UK."
Children are not thought to be badly affected by COVID-19 - very few youngsters have died around the world since the pandemic began in December.
The children being seen with the new syndrome often suffer from stomach pain, cardiac inflammation and "gastrointestinal symptoms" - which could include vomiting and diarrhoea.
Doctors have compared the mysterious condition to toxic shock syndrome and Kawasaki disease which, combined, cause harmful internal swelling, fever and breathing problems - all hallmark signs of COVID-19.
But some of the children presenting with the illness have tested negative for the coronavirus, further complicating the diagnosis and raising questions that another pathogen could be behind the condition.
Professor Simon Kenny, NHS national clinical director for children and young people, said: "Thankfully Kawasaki-like diseases are very rare, as currently are serious complications in children related to COVID-19, but it is important that clinicians are made aware of any potential emerging links so that they are able to give children and young people the right care fast.
"The advice to parents remains the same: If you are worried about your child for whatever reason, contact NHS 111 or your family doctor for urgent advice, or 999 in an emergency, and if a professional tells you to go to hospital, please go to hospital."
Officials have yet to offer any clarity on what the symptoms are, despite pleas from paediatricians to paint a clearer picture so they can remain vigilant.
It is not clear how many children have had the inflammatory syndrome, nor whether any have died with it. It is also unclear as to how old children are who are being struck down, or if there are any clusters of cases in the UK.
But it is thought to have only affected a "handful" of children so far, according to one prominent paediatrician who admitted the condition could be caused by another pathogen.
Advice to parents is to contact your GP if your child has a persistent high fever lasting a couple of days, unusual rash on the body, severe tummy pain, diarrhoea and vomiting. They can arrange a video conferencing or telephone consultation and advise you. You can also call 111 and if it's an emergency call 999.
Also, if your child becomes ill, it could be non Coronavirus related but still require medical attention:
Whilst coronavirus is infectious to children, it is rarely serious. If your child is unwell it is likely to be a non-coronavirus illness, rather than coronavirus itself.
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health advises parents seek urgent help (call 999 or go to A&E) if their child is:
- Becoming pale, mottled and feeling abnormally cold to the touch
- Has pauses in their breathing (apnoeas), has an irregular breathing pattern or starts grunting
- Has severe difficulty in breathing becoming agitated or unresponsive
- Is going blue round the lips
- Has a fit/seizure
- Becomes extremely distressed (crying inconsolably despite distraction), confused, very lethargic (difficult to wake) or unresponsive
- Develops a rash that does not disappear with pressure (the 'Glass test')
- Has testicular pain, especially in teenage boys
Photo: Getty images
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