Light-touch SOP for kids: Scans only if needed, steroids only in hospital

NEW DELHI: Children infected with Sars-cov-2 should not be given remdesivir, and steroids or anticoagulants, if required, should only be given in a hospital, the Union government has said in its first set of guidelines for paediatric treatment of Covid-19.

Drawn up by the Directorate General of Health Services, the technical wing of Union health ministry, the guidelines advise restraint in the use of medication – similar to its new recommendations for adults recently that dropped the names of several drugs previously advised.

“There is lack of sufficient safety and efficacy data with respect to remdesivir in children below 18 years of age. HRCT chest to be done ONLY if there is worsening of symptoms...,” the guidelines issued on Wednesday said. HRCT refers to high-resolution chest CT scans.

The rules also say routine treatment should include no more than typical fever medicine and drugs for cold and cough.

For asymptomatic cases, they recommend that children stay under care of parents or guardians in home isolation. For mildly symptomatic cases, they should also remain in home isolation, and fever medicine can be given. For moderately sick cases, children must be taken to a medical facility, where they must be put on oxygen therapy and their fluid balance should be maintained. For severe cases, they should be put on oxygen therapy and will need to start on corticosteroids and anticoagulants, the guidelines said.