COVID‐19 in children: I. Epidemiology, prevention and indirect impacts

Children globally have been profoundly impacted by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. This review explores the direct and indirect public health impacts of COVID‐19 on children. We discuss in detail the transmission dynamics, vaccination strategies and, importantly, the ‘shadow pandem...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health 2022-01, Vol.58 (1), p.39-45
Main Authors: Howard‐Jones, Annaleise R, Bowen, Asha C, Danchin, Margie, Koirala, Archana, Sharma, Ketaki, Yeoh, Daniel K, Burgner, David P, Crawford, Nigel W, Goeman, Emma, Gray, Paul E, Hsu, Peter, Kuek, Stephanie, McMullan, Brendan J, Tosif, Shidan, Wurzel, Danielle, Britton, Philip N
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Child
Child & adolescent psychiatry
COVID-19
Disease prevention
Domestic Violence
educational impact
Epidemiology
Humans
Mental Health
Pandemics
Pediatrics
Public health
Review
SARS-CoV-2
school‐based transmission
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Shelter in place
vaccination
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Summary:Children globally have been profoundly impacted by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. This review explores the direct and indirect public health impacts of COVID‐19 on children. We discuss in detail the transmission dynamics, vaccination strategies and, importantly, the ‘shadow pandemic’, encompassing underappreciated indirect impacts of the pandemic on children. The indirect effects of COVID‐19 will have a long‐term impact beyond the immediate pandemic period. These include the mental health and wellbeing risks, disruption to family income and attendant stressors including increased family violence, delayed medical attention and the critical issue of prolonged loss of face‐to‐face learning in a normal school environment. Amplification of existing inequities and creation of new disadvantage are likely additional sequelae, with children from vulnerable families disproportionately affected. We emphasise the responsibility of paediatricians to advocate on behalf of this vulnerable group to ensure the longer‐term effects of COVID‐19 public health responses on the health and wellbeing of children are fully considered.
ISSN:1034-4810
1440-1754
DOI:10.1111/jpc.15791