Since the beginning of the pandemic, health experts have talked about how children can fight better through the SARS-CoV-2 infection. A group of experts studied severe Covid-19 cases and deaths in children and young people. The data used was from the National Child Mortality Database in the U.K. and from Public Health England.
The study determined that 25 children under 18 years old died due to the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Most of those who developed severe cases had other underlying health conditions, making them vulnerable.
The new coronavirus is rarely fatal in children
This conclusion came after researchers studied all deaths and severe cases in the U.K. for those who tested positive for the virus. Between March 2020 and February 2021, 251 children have been admitted to the ICU units in England. Another statistic of the study is that children have one in 50 0000 chances of needing special care from the ICU units. There are 2 in a million chances that a child dies from the Covid-19 infection.
Scientists from several Universities conducted this massive study
For this study, researchers from several universities in England, University College London, University of York, the University of Bristol, and the University of Liverpool, have dedicated their time and expertise to determine how this infection affects children under 18 years old.
Most of the children who died of Covid in England had several health issues such as neuro-disabilities. Scientists found that six of them had no underlying health conditions, and 36 of them died from other causes but tested positive for the infection.
One of the researchers, Dr. Elisabeth Whittaker, from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and Imperial College London, made the following statement about the study:
Although this data covers up to February 2021, this hasn’t changed recently with the Delta variant. We hope this data will be reassuring for children and young people and their families.
In conclusion, children have fewer chances of developing severe Covid than adults.