Challenges of COVID-19 in children in low- and middle-income countries

Abstract

The reader will come appreciate:Children in LMICs develop predominantly mild disease or asymptomatic infection similar to that in high income countries. The indirect effects of the pandemic on child health are substantial in LMICs, including increasing poverty levels, disrupted schooling, lack of access to school feeding schemes, reduced access to health facilities and interruptions in vaccination and other child health programs. In many LMICs inability to implement effective public health measures such as social distancing, hand hygiene, identification and isolation of infected people and universal use of masks, impact on transmission. Health systems in LMICs are under-resourced; diversion of resources to adults' services in the pandemic may further compromise child health.

Postoperative mortality among surgical patients with COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…The COVID-19 pandemic imposes a significant challenge on health care delivery along with economic, social, and mental health crisis [ 15 – 18 , 30 , 33 – 42 ].…”

Where to make a difference: research and the social determinants in pediatrics and child health in the COVID-19 era

“…48 Research into the global impact on children is urgently required as the social determinants of healthcare is a global issue. 49 , 50 Vulnerable youth are a broad group of adolescents who are often forgotten. This group includes lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and/or questioning [LGBTQ] young people; those who are homeless, maltreated or in foster care; or those struggling with substance use disorders.…”

“…48 Research into the global impact on children is urgently required as the social determinants of healthcare is a global issue. 49 , 50…”

UNFPA supporting midwives at the heart of the COVID-19 response

“…As the world has begun to deal with the full impact of this pandemic, low- and middle-income countries are facing a series of challenges: Communities are facing loss of livelihoods and incomes, uncertainty for their future, fear and stigma. Weak and poorly equipped health systems are struggling with break-downs in supply chains, lack of adequate water and sanitation facilities, capacity constraints within the health system, including the ability to address training and personal protective equipment (PPE) needs of health care providers, as well as limited ability to provide testing and treatment services for those infected with coronavirus [ 2 ].…”