New Delhi: Most of the health experts including AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria shared the concerns that third wave of COVID-19 pandemic is inevitable in India as states are taking measures to fight the virus especially to protect children from danger .
A report by The Lancet’s COVID-19 Commission India Task Force noted that most children infected with the virus have been asymptomatic, while mild infections were predominant among those with symptoms.
Children in the second wave were equally affected, and parents are concerned about the potential third wave and the impact on children. To treat children against this infection, correct diagnosis remains an important component. However, testing in children remains a bit tricky as children may not be comfortable with the procedures.
As News18 reports, Dr Shashi Bhushan, a neonatologist and a pediatrician at Cloudnine Hospitals Malleswaram in Bengaluru, has suggested alternative methods of testing designed for children.
Bhushan is also a member of the High Level Expert Committee for Prevention and Management of Kovid Wave-3, Karnataka.
What are the methods of covid testing for children?
The most effective methods of collecting samples for testing in children include oral RT-PCR, or salivary RT-PCR, and gargle RT-PCR.
Nasal swab collection and rapid antigen tests are also other forms of testing that may be used.
What is the difference between a nasal swab and a nasopharyngeal swab?
Nasopharyngeal swabs are commonly used to collect the sample in adults. Under this procedure, a long and thin material is inserted deep into the nose through the nostrils and taken out. Even though this method takes less than a second to collect the swab, people are a little uncomfortable performing the procedure. Children may be resistant to allowing this test due to lack of understanding of the process. So the sample collecting material is simply smeared without going deep into the beginning of the nostril and the sample is collected. This process is known as swelling of the nose.
What is Gargle RT-PCR?
In this method, the baby is provided with a specific fluid known as gargling solution, which he needs to gargle and spit up. However, this method is only used on children over the age of 7.
What is the efficiency and accuracy of such methods?
All the above methods are said to be just as effective as traditional methods. ICMR has approved Gargle RT-PCR.
Are these methods used elsewhere?
Saliva RT-PCR is used in the US and France. Gargle RT-PCR has recently been used in Pune and has proved to be beneficial.
Do these tests require any special training for the medical staff?
It is always advisable to have children tested by the pediatric staff. However, when there is a shortage of skilled staff, it is advisable to train the available staff to collect samples from children.
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