Don’t use remdesivir, molnupiravir to treat minors: Govt
In the absence of safety and efficacy data, the health ministry has advised not to use monoclonal antibodies and antivirals such as remdesivir, favipiravir, molnupiravir and fluvoxamine in children less than 18 years of age, irrespective of the severity of infection.
The
recommendations are part of the revised guidelines for management of
Covid-19 among children and adolescents below 18 years of age. The
guidelines have been revised in view of the current surge powered by
Omicron.
It also underlined that if steroids are used, they should
be tapered over 10 to 14 days, subject to clinical improvement. The
available data from other countries suggests that the disease caused by
the Omicron variant is less severe. However, there is need for
observation as the current wave evolves, the new guidelines said.
Those
in 0-19 years age group, accounted for 11% cases and 0. 7% deaths in
2021, as against 18% cases and 0. 9% deaths in 2020, government said.
The revised guidelines also suggest exercising caution while diagnosing
multi-system inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C). “For diagnosing MIS-C,
caution should be exercised while interpreting an isolated increase in
Covid antibodies,” it said.
Children who develop such syndrome after
recovery from Covid-19 usually have symptoms like repeat fever, rash,
conjuctivitis, diarrhoea, vomiting and bleeding tendency.