The Delta variant COVID-19 and children

Previous post from 2020 had stated that COVID-19 illness was rare in children.

Since early 2021 when the virus strain changed there have been increasing cases in children worldwide.

Unfortunately as Australia and NSW encounters the Delta strain of COVID-19 there are now cases of children with the COVID-19 virus and some older children getting more unwell.

The Delta variant is much more transmissible ie passed on to others , than the common cold or the “flu”.

​It spreads much more easily amongst household members. It is as infectious as Chickenpox.

In adults this strain causes much more severe disease, with infectious adults 2-3 x more likley to end up in hospital if not vaccinated.

Vaccination with COVID vaccines does reduce the illness severity , and transmission rate in adults. 

From overseas the children under 18 that have been sicker have had underlying problems like severe lung disease, heart disease and obesity. That is one of the reasons that the Australian Technical Group on Immunisation has recommended targeted vaccination of at risk groups in ages 12-15 years.

There has also emerged a very rare complication in children with COVID-19 that presents 2-6 weeks after infection called Paediatric Inflammatory Multi-system Syndrome (PIMS). Clinical features include persistent fever, severe illness with involvement of multiple organ systems, and elevated inflammatory markers. It occurs in less than 1% of children infected with COVID.

Children have required ICU treatment and can get very sick. It appears similar to another childhood disease called Kawasaki disease.

​See below for the latest news from www.health.gov.au  about children and the delta variant of COVID-19.

Dr Bernadette Hanna

Consulting Hours:

Qualifications:

MBBS BSc (Med)

Background and Experience:

Bernadette completed her medical degree at the University of NSW (MBBS BSc (Med)). She trained in Paediatrics at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead before being drawn to Clinical Genetics; the interface between genetic research and patient care. She has worked with the Clinical Genetics services at Sydney Children’s Hospital at Randwick, Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and Liverpool Hospitals. She is a registered Clinical Geneticist with a special interest in genetic conditions affecting children and connective tissue disorders.

Bernadette is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and Fellow of the Human Genetics Society of Australasia. She previously Co-Chaired the Trainee committee for the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. She has provided several teaching sessions to trainee doctors, Paediatricians and Obstetricians in the functional benefits and caution of Genetic testing in their patients.

Dr Chris Elliot

Consulting Hours:

Thursdays

Qualifications:

MB BS, FRACP

Background and Experience:

Dr Elliot trained through the Sydney Children’s Hospital’s Network Randwick.  He holds dual qualifications as a specialist in both ​General Paediatrics (the care of newborns, children and young people) and Community Child Health (developmental and behavioural medicine, public health and child protection).

During his paediatric specialist training, Dr Elliot was awarded the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) Examination Medal in Paediatrics as the candidate with the highest examination mark in Australia and New Zealand.

He currently works in both in private consulting rooms in Kogarah, as a Staff Specialist Paediatrician at St George Hospital, Sydney and he holds an honorary Staff Specialist position in the Department of Community Child Health at Sydney Children’s Hospital Randwick.

In 2019 Dr Elliot was nominated in the category of “Outstanding Leadership” in the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District Community Health awards.
Dr Elliot is the paediatrician for the St George Paediatric Multidisciplinary Complex Feeding Clinic.  In August 2016 Dr Elliot and the clinic team were awarded the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District Award for Innovation in Integrated Care.

Dr Elliot’s practice is evidence-based and up to date.  He regularly attends relevant conferences and is an active member of the Neurodevelopmental and Behavioural Paediatric Society of Australasia.

He is is a Conjoint Lecturer at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and has received student-nominated awards for his teaching.