Dr NK Venkataramana, Founder Chairman & Chief Neurosurgeon, BRAINS Hospitals, Bangalore, talks about adequate precautions to be taken to protect children suffering from cerebral palsy from corona virus.
Cerebral palsy is a brain disorder that results from the damage to the brain either during foetal life or during perinatal or immediate postnatal life. As a result, there is a delay in the psychomotor development, cognitive development of the child. The severity of impairment depends upon the extent of brain damage. Hence their attention span, comprehension, learning ability, the memory will be significantly affected apart from the motor disabilities like spasticity or dystonia. A majority of them will have associated convulsions or seizures complicating the above problem as well as requiring long-term medications.
Due to the above impairments, they cannot protect themselves adequately nor comprehend and react to the situations appropriately. Hence they become susceptible to many risks such as infections, injuries warranting constant supervision and protection.
COVID-19 infection is a result of SARS 2 virus affecting people all over the world. Several preventive measures and precautions have been recognised and adopted by the people. However, these children will not understand the seriousness of the situation as well as will not comprehend and learn the preventive measures to implement them accurately all the time. Hence they become the high-risk group. Besides, due to the seizures, they are prone to lung infections and the overall immunity is low in this group. Since they cannot adapt themselves, one should ensure that all the precautions are provided to them both at the home, school and other areas of activity such as playrooms, treatment rooms as well as rehabilitation areas. Adequate physical distancing should be ensured to avoid contracting infection. These children should be confined to the homes unless warranted. One should avoid unnecessary outings and travel. Another source of infection for them is from the parents, other adults at home, therapists and other children during playtime. The adults at home must take all precautions to ensure not to bring the infection home. In case children contract the virus, they should take regular hand washing. Older children should be trained to wear a mask.
It has been a general belief that children are not affected by the COVID which may not be true in all circumstances. Healthy young children may get away but they carry the potential risk of infecting adults as well as vulnerable children. Though classical adult syndrome is not noted in children, a peculiar inflammatory syndrome of the body has been reported in children all over the world. This systemic inflammatory disease can lead to a variety of problems in these growing children. We still do not understand the long-term consequences of the COVID yet. Hence it is prudent to take precautions and protect the vulnerable group.
