Covid-19 infection, the epidemic disease of the century, which continues to affect our country as well as the whole world, continues to be a serious threat, although it is less common in children than adults.
Acıbadem University Atakent Hospital Pediatric Cardiology Specialist Prof. Dr. Ayhan Çevik “Covid-19 disease especially affects the heart and vessels in children; Especially if the fever persists for more than 3 days, the course of the disease may be more severe with the involvement of the heart vessels in the disease. In this case, it should be examined in terms of heart disease associated with Covid. " says. Pediatric Cardiology Specialist Prof. Dr. Ayhan Çevik explained the symptoms of Covid-19 in the children's heart, and made important warnings and suggestions.
Difficulty in breathing, chest pain, palpitations, increase in heart rate, high respiratory rate… The epidemic disease of the century coronavirus (Covid-19), which has been continuing its destructive and fatal effect in our country for more than a year, can manifest itself with these symptoms in children. Acıbadem University Atakent Hospital Pediatric Cardiology Specialist Prof. Dr. Ayhan Çevik stated that the disease sometimes does not cause any symptoms in children as in adults, and sometimes it can cause severe clinical pictures, “In the pediatric age group, if Covid-19 disease affects the heart, the first symptoms vary according to the age of the child; Difficulty in breathing, chest pain, palpitations, high heart rate and high respiratory rate may be. " says. Emphasizing that when these findings are observed, laboratory examinations such as EKG and EKO as well as some blood tests should be done. Dr. Ayhan Çevik warns: “What is expected during the typical course of the disease; Cough, fever above 38 degrees, muscle aches, nasal congestion, difficulty in breathing, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue and headaches, but without waiting for the disease to progress to severe forms affecting the heart, in case of more than one of these symptoms, heart-related examinations need to be done. Especially if the fever continues for more than 3 days, the course of the disease may be more severe with the involvement of the heart vessels in the disease. "
It poses a life risk!
The most important difference of Covid-19 compared to adults in childhood; Stating that it causes a life-threatening picture called severe inflammatory syndrome, Prof. Dr. Ayhan Çevik gives the following information about risk factors: “There are some potential risk factors that change the course of the disease in children and develop heart disease. Especially; Children who are immunocompromised, have chronic diseases, obese, younger than one year old, have genetic disease and developmental retardation are at high risk, and children with any of these factors should be monitored much more closely for the development of heart disease. "
It affects many organs in children!
Covid-19 disease in children especially affects the heart and vessels, in case the heart is affected; Prof. Dr. Ayhan Çevik said, “In addition, a very severe clinical picture accompanied by multiple organ involvement associated with Covid-19 has been defined in pediatric age groups, and the loss of the patient may be in question in this clinical picture. In the early stages of this picture, signs of respiratory system disease or digestive system symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea can often be detected. During this table, many organs including the heart, neurological system, kidneys and body blood cells are involved in the disease. Therefore, when these symptoms are seen, they should be evaluated in terms of the presence of heart disease. " says.
Close monitoring is a must!
Clinical follow-up is vital in terms of cardiovascular disease during the course of Covid-19 disease in children. Pediatric Cardiology Specialist Prof. Dr. Ayhan Çevik warns: “In the process of Covid-19 disease in children, problems such as inflammation of the heart muscle, inflammation of the heart valves, inflammation of the heart membrane, deterioration of heart pump function, development of rhythm disorders and sudden deterioration of the general condition are experienced. For this reason, in addition to performing cardiological examinations, it is necessary to continue close follow-up in terms of cardiovascular disease during the course of the disease. Stating that if the disease affects the heart and vessels, it is necessary to be hospitalized in a hospital environment and appropriate medications should be started via vascular access. Dr. Meanwhile, Ayhan Çevik emphasizes that it is essential to take treatment measures that prevent the deterioration of heart functions.
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