More than 1500 doctors and nurses from interiors of rural Vidarbha & Maharashtra benefitted this Friday through a workshop on Covid Care in Children organized by AIIMS Nagpur Pediatrics Dept and supported by District Collectorate, Nagpur. “Covid-19 third wave may hit us soon and affect children. We need to be prepared for that”, said Mr Ravindra Thakre, District Collector, Nagpur, while inaugurating this online workshop for healthcare professionals and healthcare workers.
“Supportive care is equally or even more important than medications in childhood Covid”, said Maj Gen (Dr) Vibha Dutta, Director & CEO of AIIMS Nagpur, explaining the vision behind the workshop. Dr Manish Shrigiriwar, Medical Superintendent congratulated the participants and the Pediatrics Dept team for organizing this workshop and assured that AIIMS Nagpur will keep supporting the local administration in their efforts towards capacity building for pediatric Covid care.
“Lethargy, fast breathing and low reading on pulse oxymeter are three parameters on the basis of which children with Covid can be categorized”, explained Dr Meenakshi Girish, Professor and Head, Dept of Pediatrics, while describing how to identify the severity of Covid-19 illness in children, who can be cared at home and who needs referral to higher center in a case based manner with lot of examples. “Mild cases of Covid can be managed at home. Positive children above 2 years should wear mask, additionally all adults should wear masks at home,” she explained.
Two things that can save lives even in severe Covid are Oxygen and IV fluids (Saline). Dr Abhijit Choudhary through effective use of video, demonstrated the correct use of oxygen and how to avoid misuse.” Procedure of IV saline was demonstrated in details by Dr Akash Bang who explained “Handwashing, being prepared & organized, and a meticulous cleanliness to avoid infection will go a long way in making IV fluid therapy safe and effective”.
Dr Shikha Jain elaborated on how to monitor a Covid affected child using various clinical and lab parameters. “Blood tests are not needed routinely for every RTPCR positive child,” she pointed out. “Use of Ramdesivir is limited on a case to case basis to be used only within 7-10 days of onset of symptoms in those who develop low Oxygen levels,” Dr Nishu Khemka explained while discussing the role of Ramdesivir in pediatric Covid.
“The possibility of a newborn getting Covid infection from mother is very rare and direct breastfeeding and skin to skin care must continue even if the mother is positive,” said Dr Nishant Banait, neonatologist. Dr Urmila Chauhan who moderated the event, explained about MIS-C (Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children) and the need for urgent referral on identification.
The program was streamed live on YouTube and was very well received and appreciated by all participants and officials.
