Thread by @NjbBari3

I should warn you that there are many physiological and anatomical differences between adults and children… and although younger immune systems are stronger, there are many things that make children more vulnerable.

https://twitter.com/rizzizzy/status/1489776812410679296

For example, babies and young children have small floppy airways. This can lead to collapse (closure) of the upper airways making breathing very difficult, very early.

I strongly suspect that this mechanism is involved in the change in presentation of omicron.

Next the heart compensates for increased oxygen demand from infected tissues by increasing the rate. Stroke volume increase is limited. Kids can de-compensate very quickly due to sepsis.

Kids have very small circulating volumes and can dehydrate to death very quickly.

So it’s not appropriate to look at how a child manages an infection in isolated systems. The whole picture is important.

It should not be forgotten that there is early research showing the the very mechanisms that help younger humans survive COVID-19 may be part of the pathology of long COVID.

There are changes in children’s phenomes that are highly concerning.

It is entirely foolish and irresponsible to advocate for the infection of children with SARS-CoV-2.

I have always said that. No evidence has come to light that has changed that. We need to find safer ways to fulfil the needs of our growing kids.