SAPA July 2022 Newsletter
SAJCH :: JUNE 2022
Click HERE or below to read/download the SAJCH June 2022 Newsletter
SAPA believes the wearing of masks by school children could be better managed
The South African Paediatric Association believes that the issue of wearing of masks by school children could be better managed.
The Association says it supports the use of masks in appropriate and selective circumstances, rather than continuing with its universal use.
Professor Mignon McCulloch from the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, weighs in.
Tune into Newzroom Afrika, DSTV channel 405, for more details.
Position Statement: Ambulatory care for children with COVID‐19
Summary:
This document has been prepared by the South African Paediatric Association (SAPA) to assist primary health care workers, general practitioners, and paediatricians in the ambulatory / out-patient / home-based care of children with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Important considerations Children with mild COVID-19 can be safely managed in isolation at home. Children with moderate or severe COVID-19 require hospitalisation; clinical signs include: tachypnoea, lower chest wall indrawing, <92% oxygen saturation in room air, restlessness, difficulty in completed feeds or speaking sentences. Not specific to COVID-19, the integrated management of childhood illness general danger signs for children under 5 years are:
- inability to drink or breastfeed
- vomiting without retaining any fluids
- lethargy or unconsciousness
- convulsions
In addition, heath care workers need to be mindful of the presence of dehydration, persistent fever and WHO signs of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C)*.
There is limited evidence for the use of medication in the management of ambulatory COVID-19 in children. The following proposed medications have been suggested based on expert opinion and or extrapolated from adult studies. In general, the ambulatory/home-based management of children is largely supportive with close monitoring for signs of deterioration.
There is currently no convincing data supporting the use of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, thiamine, nicotinic acid, zinc, selenium, inhaled steroids or short acting β‐agonist, lopinavir/ritonavir, hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, ivermectin, cough mixtures or any other medication in children with COVID‐19; their routine use for this indication is consequently discouraged.
Corticosteroids, anticoagulation, antiviral or monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID‐19 or MIS‐C may be used in hospitalised children but are not indicated as part of ambulatory care. The care of people with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection is an area of active research and these recommendations will be updated as required.
SAPA’s Position
This document represents the view of the South African Paediatric Association, a professional society representing paediatricians in the public and private sector in South Africa. The document is supported by the Paediatric Management Group.
*https://www.nicd.ac.za/wp‐content/uploads/2020/09/MIS_C‐Case‐Def_09‐Sept‐2020.pdf
SAPA on ENCA
The ACDP and some doctors are challenging efforts to vaccinate children aged between 12 and 17 against COVID-19.
Dr Despina Demopoulos is questioned if parents should have any concerns about the jab.
View the full interview below:
[ON AIR] The ACDP and some doctors are challenging efforts to vaccinate children aged between 12 and 17 against Covid-19. @GarethEdwardsSA asks Dr Despina Demopoulos if parents should have any concerns about the jab. #SouthAfricanMorning #DStv403 pic.twitter.com/Ifzhkm62Yd
— eNCA (@eNCA) November 10, 2021
