Central to Viner’s concern is the very low number of children now coming to hospitals and the massively reduced numbers being referred by GPs.
Senior paediatricians have contacted the RCPCH with reports of children arriving at hospitals with illnesses at a far more advanced stage than they would normally see. Although not officially confirmed, some child deaths since the ordered lockdown are understood to be down to their unusually late access to intensive care.
Children as collateral damage
Cases over the past two weeks include children with life-threatening infections, asthma, appendicitis and other surgical complications, who were only examined by a doctor when the illness or infection was already at an advanced stage. The underlying reason for many of the delays, included in recent reports to the RCPCH, was the overwhelming fear among families that coming to hospital would mean a risk of contracting the coronavirus.
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James Cusick | Radio Free (2020-04-05T07:04:24+00:00) UK coronavirus guidance could cause spike in child deaths, doctors warn. Retrieved from https://www.radiofree.org/2020/04/05/uk-coronavirus-guidance-could-cause-spike-in-child-deaths-doctors-warn/
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