SEVERITY OF COVID-19 IN INDIAN CHILDREN: RECOGNITION, TRANSMISSION AND MANAGEMENT

Abstract

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2 (SARS-CoV2) has become a global threat in recent times affecting millions of people across the globe with varying intensity of infections in different age groups. The disease has been reported with a considerably low infection rate among the children compared to that of adults to date, but the reasons are still not very clear to the scientists. As infants are naturally prone to a wide range of viruses, it is fascinating to understand that they are being least affected by SARS-CoV-2. Expression of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) and Transmembrane Serine Protease (TMPRSS2) Receptors have been thought to play a critical role in the expression of the disease. The shared genetic or environmental traits and socioeconomic condition might predispose for transmission dynamics of this coronavirus in children.The children genetic association may have risk of small amount although genetic variants of SARS-CoV-2 are comparable to those for the risk factors such as obesity, diabetes and other underlying health conditions. Here in this review, we have focused on the differential expression of SARS-CoV-2, the severity of the disease, predisposing factors, preventive measures, and efficacy of vaccines among the different age groups of Indian children in a comprehensive manner.