In a study published on March 18 by our colleagues from Parisianwe discover the existence of a new symptom in sick children du Covid-19. Doctors at Boston Children’s Hospital in Massachusetts studied the effects of the Omicron variant in children. They then discovered that for the majority of them, they developed laryngitis. Of 75 cases they treated, 12% required hospitalization.
A new symptom
Of the 12% of children hospitalized, they were affected of a laryngitis. A common inflammation of the larynx caused by several viruses. This disease, recognizable by its whistling inspiration at night and by these fits of coughing similar to the cry of the seal, is particularly present in children under 6 years old. In France, pediatricians make the same observation: “For regarding a month we have seen more laryngitis in children aged three to four and when we screen them, they are positive” explains a pediatrician in the emergency room of the University Hospital of Amiens. “These are not necessarily serious cases, we manage to treat them with corticosteroids”, reassures the pediatrician.
Professor Francois Angoulvant of the Parisian Robert-Debré hospital also looked into the subject. “There is no reason not to believe them, but this signal is imperceptible for the majority of doctors. Do children affected by Omicron have laryngitis? Yes. Are we overwhelmed? No “, explains the teacher. But then how can we care for these children ? Pediatricians advise buying air humidifiers that send water vapor into the room, others prescribe ice cream. It all depends on the gravity symptoms.
#Vaccination | Pediatric multi-system inflammatory syndrome (PIMS) is a disease that affects 1 in 4000 children following being infected with #COVID19.
???? What are his symptoms? Why is the vaccination of children recommended to prevent it? ⤵ pic.twitter.com/inWDcTJHT3– Ministry of Solidarity and Health ???????? ???????? (@Sante_Gouv) February 4, 2022
A well-known disease
However, laryngitis can be severe and cause respiratory distress especially in toddlers. In this case, they must be treated with cortisone and adrenaline sprays. But this disease remains a well-known infection. Every year, 20,000 children suffer of a laryngitis are treated in the pediatric emergency room.
