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Many health experts have predicted that in the third wave children will be most affected. However, the Central government on Monday said there is no indication “as of now” that it will severely affect the children. This comes after the Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP), a body representing paediatricians across the country, on Saturday said it was “highly unlikely that the third wave will predominantly or exclusively affect children”.
The IAP said that almost 90 per cent of the infections in children so far have been mild or asymptomatic. “The most important reason is the lesser expression of specific receptors to which this virus binds to enter the host, and also their immune system. A very small percentage of infected children may develop moderate-severe disease. If there is a massive increase in the overall numbers of infected individuals, a large number of children with moderate-severe disease may be seen,” it said.
“Children are as susceptible as adults and older individuals to develop infection, but not severe disease. It is highly unlikely that the third wave will predominantly or exclusively affect children,” it further said.
