Thrombosis not only in adults. “This year there were five children with a cerebral embolism”

Thrombosis in the context of COVID-19 is primarily written in relation to adults. The disease got loud when it turned out that it was a very rare side effect after receiving the AstraZeneki vaccine, especially in women under 60 years of age. However, thrombosis also affects children infected with SARS-CoV-2.

1. In the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, it was said that children were either infected asymptomatically or had mild COVID-19. Today we know that it is different. In addition to heavy mileage, they are also at risk of PIMS. But also thrombosis
2. «There are also disorders, such as congestion, or cerebral infarction, which were hardly seen in children before the pandemic. This year there were five children with a brain embolism, which results in impaired consciousness, paresis »- says pediatrician Dr. Paweł Gonerko in an interview with PAP
3. The doctor strongly recommends that children be vaccinated against COVID-19. “When a child looks dying, there is no doubt, but then it is too late,” she adds
4. More information can be found on the Onet homepage.

Pediatrician: There are disorders that were hardly ever seen in children before

At the beginning of the pandemic, it was believed that children did not transmit the coronavirus, and if they did become infected, it was asymptomatic or mild. Today, however, the situation is different.

– A year ago, at the beginning of the pandemic, it was said that children did not get sick or that the infection was asymptomatic. The children were also said not to transmit the virus. And in that first wave it was like that. However, in the second, and even more so in the third wave, we had a lot of serious illnesses in children. There were also serious complications. Fortunately, they are not frequent, but they do occur – said pediatrician Dr. Lidia Stopyra in an interview with Medonet.

Among the possible complications, in addition to PIMS, i.e. the multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children after contracting COVID-19, is also thrombosis. A disease that has so far been feared primarily by people vaccinating with AstraZeneka or Johnson & Johnson. For both of these preparations, the European Medicines Agency concluded that there was a possible link between the vaccine and thrombosis.

1. Also check: PIMS, i.e. childhood complications after COVID-19, can be life-threatening

Pediatrician from Szczecin, Dr. Paweł Gonerko, spoke to PAP about thrombosis in children.

– There are also disorders, such as congestion, i.e. cerebral infarction, which were hardly seen in children before the pandemic. This year there were five children with a cerebral embolism that results in impaired consciousness, paresis. It’s also a secondary disorder caused by vascular damage, said the doctor. The expert also pointed out that the cases concerned children who previously had no covid symptoms.

The symptoms of thrombosis in children are similar to those of adults. These include headache, impaired consciousness, and sometimes loss of consciousness and paresis.

– Fortunately, in most cases the changes disappear relatively quickly, although it depends of course on how big the congestion was. With a large blockage and cerebral ischemia, part of the brain will be damaged – added the pediatrician.

Thrombosis in children after covid. High mortality in combination with PIMS

A study published in April by the American Society of Hematology found that in children and adolescents who developed thrombosis with PIMS or COVID-19 infection, the mortality rate was as high as 28%.

Scientists analyzed 853 cases of children admitted to the hospital. 426 were infected with COVID-19, 138 with PIMS, while 289 were infected with SARS-CoV-2 asymptomatically. Out of 814 patients, a thrombotic event (including one stroke) was reported in 20 patients. Thrombosis was the most common in patients with PIMS, and the least common in those with asymptomatic infection.

1. Editors recommend: Is vaccination of children against COVID-19 safe? Explains the pediatrician

Among patients with PIMS or COVID-19, 89 percent. thrombotic events occurred in children up to 12 years of age.

The main risk factors are age, cancer, the presence of a central venous catheter and PIMS. Mortality among hospitalized PIMS patients was 2,3%, but if they also had a thrombotic event, it increased to 28%.

Dr. Sitaram Emani from Boston Children’s Hospital points to the dangers of thrombosis in children. It mainly affects young people with congenital heart defects, but not only.

– Whenever we have a COVID-19 patient in the hospital, we send him for tests, including coagulation tests, measuring the risk of blood clots.

The physician points out that families and physicians need to know these situations are occurring.

“When we started seeing children with thrombotic events, including strokes, we realized that we really need to focus on it.

Have you been infected with COVID-19 and are worried about the side effects? Check your health by performing a comprehensive test package for convalescents.

It is safe and important to immunize children against COVID-19

The risk of thrombosis in children may be reduced with the COVID-19 vaccination, which doctors say is safe and effective.

– Prior to registration, Pfizer conducted a study on 2290 children. Half of them received a placebo and the other half a vaccine. This alone is enough to say that the preparation has been tested and proven. If, however, this was not a sufficient confirmation for the parents, then we are lucky that we are not the first. In the US and Canada, 12-year-olds have been vaccinated for some time. This is already hundreds of thousands, if not millions of vaccinated children. If anything were to happen, we would already know it. Even if it were some very rare complications. The ones that happen once in a million, which is nothing compared to the incidence of complications from COVID-19. There are no such reports – said Dr. Lidia Stopyra in an interview with Medonet.

1. See also: Adverse reactions in children after vaccination against COVID-19. Should parents be afraid of them? We ask the pediatrician

Also, Dr.Paweł Gonerko strongly recommends vaccinating children against COVID-19, primarily to stop the coronavirus pandemic. But also because of the risk of complications that are dangerous for children.

– It seems quite obvious that in a situation where there is a risk of severe pocovid syndromes and vascular damage, there is no doubt that you should get vaccinated – emphasized Dr. Gonerko.

The pediatrician pointed out that delaying the immunization of a child may have disastrous consequences.

– I can’t imagine a parent who comes with a child with pocovid syndrome and says ‘I didn’t get him vaccinated because I thought it might be unnecessary, because PIMS is so rare’. When the child looks dying, there is no doubt, but then it is too late – concluded the doctor.

Also read:

1. COVID-19 free counties. Where are there no new deaths and infections? MAP
2. However, a bat? Scientists have found novel coronaviruses similar to SARS-CoV-2 in flying mammals
3. Indian mutation in Sweden. Anders Tegnell comments on the situation
4. Italy: An 18-year-old girl died of AstraZeneca vaccine
5. Why do I need booster doses of vaccines? [WE EXPLAIN]

The content of the medTvoiLokony website is intended to improve, not replace, the contact between the Website User and their doctor. The website is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Before following the specialist knowledge, in particular medical advice, contained on our Website, you must consult a doctor. The Administrator does not bear any consequences resulting from the use of information contained on the Website. Do you need a medical consultation or an e-prescription? Go to halodoctor.pl, where you will get online help – quickly, safely and without leaving your home.