Physical and mental health challenges children during Covid-19 pandemic

The current pandemic due to COVID-19 and confinement are a psychosocial adversity that threatens the stability of the family. Children are just like flower buds in garden. They will blossom if nurtured in a routine way. COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted everything needed for their maturation both in physical as well as in mental health as a result of public health safety measures including school closure, social isolation, financial hardship and gap in the health care needs. 

Since March 2020, academic institutions remain closed, some glimpses of reopening are seen but ended every time with worst lockdown due to unchanged situation of pandemic and keeping in mind that innocent young children can't be compelled to strictly follow the safety measures to prevent transmission on school premises in comparison with those of young adults. 

They are missing the enormous joy of mating their friends in schools where they could pass leisure period with playing, singing, making fun and gossip and return home with satisfaction full to the brim. There is limited or no scope to be with them in open space, play grounds and Parks. 

These are few in a densely populated city like Dhaka and sealed during pandemic.  They have to live their livelihood indoor and stuck to TV screen, mobile, computer games where there is no scope of active participation and the children become silent and suffer from various types of stress syndrome like depression, anxiety, attention deficit, panics etc.

These manifest as various types of physical symptoms like anorexia, umbilical pain, epigastric or chest discomfort, hyperventillation, periodic breathing and so many functional symptoms. 

In addition, affectionate children are restrained to keep social distancing even at home if one of the family members is in home isolation due to Covid-19 which is cruelty and most time they can't be restricted and renders them to risk of transmission. 

And the worst consequences that affect the whole family with shock at the unusual demise of a family member due to covid-19. Newer variants pose threat to children the risk of transmission who were relatively immune so far but according to latest WHO bulletin, delta variant of covid-19 does not cause added threat of transmission to children. 

On the other hand, parents have to suffer from hardship of earnings and renders their children to child labour who may become involved in various unusual habits, including drug abuse even suicidal tendencies at least one recent happening that was a news in electronic and print media. 

Similarly, child marriage is in the increasing trend due to incumbent poverty.     

To cope with new normal life and to reduce stress and anxiety in children some tips are furnished below:

1. Talk to them - about what is going on. Be there for them when they are upset.

2. Give the children time out from screen. Play indoor games puzzle, ludo, chess etc.

3. Regularize a daily schedule for them.

4. Engage them in setting a weekly schedule of your family.

5. Encourage more and more indoor activities.

6.  Enhance their physical activities.

7. Arrange healthy diet.

8. Nurture the habit of socializing.

9. Have fun together.

10. Practice self satisfaction as parents as well as caregiver.

11. For better outcome they might have to sit in a counseling session along with their parents.     

Writer:  Professor Dr Sudesh Rakshit, Child Specialist, Salauddin Specialised Hospital, Tikatuli, Dhaka