April 13, 2020
12:15
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At the Reine Fabiola Children’s Hospital, there is a marked decrease in the diagnosis of leukemia and lymphomas. The Covid-19 crisis should not prevent children from receiving care, warns the head of the pediatric service Pierre Smeesters.
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The head of the pediatrics department at Queen Fabiola Children’s University Hospital (Huderf) is very concerned. “From the start of the crisis, I told the teams that I was afraid that there would be collateral victims among children. This is confirmed in our figures for admissions and emergency room visits. For example, we have very few new diagnoses of leukemia and lymphomas when it is normally constant. We are concerned that we will not see the children we should see, “said Pierre Smeesters, who also cited the shocking case of this diabetic child who arrived too late for a diagnosis and died of his diabetes.
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“My main message: don’t be afraid to come to the hospital!”
Pierre Smeesters
Head of the pediatrics department of the Queen Fabiola Children’s University Hospital (Huderf)
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The pediatrician also mentions the risks caused by less close follow-up of maternity. “Jaundice in newborns is fairly commonplace, but there can be complications if the reaction time is not fast enough. My main message: don’t be afraid to come to the hospital!”
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The reluctance of some parents to go there is explained, according to Pierre Smeesters, by the resounding impact in the press of Covid-19 figures. “We have a lot of empathy for families who have been affected by pediatric cases, but it should be remembered that these figures are far below those of the flu which kills many more children every year. We actually had a case last month without making the headlines. “
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Higher urgency in children
According to the Hudderf pediatrician, you should not hesitate to go to pediatric emergencies, which remain relatively unaffected by the coronavirus. “There are illnesses that could otherwise become more deadly than Covid-19. Spring marks the return of gastroenteritis. A three month old baby who has only 10% dehydration can go into a coma very quickly. In general, the urgency of pediatric pathologies is higher than in adults. “
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“Ask yourself the question like this: if it weren’t for the Covid-19 epidemic, would I have taken him to the doctor? If the answer is yes, then you have to go . ”
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It is for this reason that the cycle of vaccination children under the age of 15 months should be strictly observed. “If the vaccine for a six-year-old child can be postponed by a few months, it is different for five-month-old babies who must in particular be vaccinated against meningitis because it is at this age that they pass away. “
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If a child no longer sleeps, no longer eats, no longer plays, if he has changed color, if he vomits or if he has severe diarrhea, this means that he must be seen by a doctor, summarizes Pierre Smeesters who concludes with a fairly simple advice addressed to parents. “Ask yourself the question like this: if it weren’t for the covid-19 epidemic, would I have brought it to the doctor? If the answer is yes, then you have to go . “
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Coronavirus: Survival kit
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