A study has found that the COVID-19 Omicron variant is seven times more fatal to children than the flu.
According to Hong Kong public broadcaster RTHK on the 1st, researchers from the University of Hong Kong conducted a study on 1,147 hospitalized pediatric COVID-19 patients admitted in February and obtained these results.
The researchers explained that some of the child patients were quite ill, which may be due to their lack of prior exposure to the original COVID-19 virus.
According to Hong Kong authorities, during the fifth wave of COVID-19 that began in January this year, seven children aged 11 and under died from COVID-19.
The researchers stated that the Omicron variant can attack the central nervous system of child patients and cause complications, saying, "Symptoms such as acute necrotizing encephalitis and febrile seizures may appear."
They added, "These complications actually lead to an increased fatality rate among patients infected with the Omicron variant," emphasizing that child patients are more vulnerable to such complications because their immune systems are not fully developed.
The researchers advised that if children exhibit prolonged fever and seizure symptoms, they should visit a hospital. They also said, "Recording when the seizures started and how they progressed and informing medical staff will help with diagnosis."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
