Bavaria's first special ambulance for children and adolescents suffering from Long-Covid is being built in Munich.
As with adults, very little research has been done on long-term effects.
Johannes Hübner and his colleagues at the Haunersche Children's Hospital in Munich have learned a lot about Corona in recent months.
But when it comes to the long-term consequences of the disease, doctors are still at the beginning, he explains.
"For most children, Corona runs with no or only mild symptoms *."
Corona in children: various symptoms with long-term effects
So far, only a few young patients with severe Covid-19 courses have been treated in the children's hospital.
But the number of reports on patients with long-term effects seems to be increasing steadily, reports Hübner.
The connection between symptoms such as chronic exhaustion, headaches, breathing difficulties or circulatory problems with the virus is often unclear - either because the corona disease was not recognized, explains Hübner.
Or because some of the symptoms are related to the general exposure of the pandemic.
The consequences can affect almost any organ and, in the worst case, even damage organs.
"That is why it is very important that all of our specialists work together."
Long Covid or pandemic symptoms in children: parents should have a point of contact
It is important to first examine whether a symptom was triggered by a corona infection.
To do this, doctors have to look very carefully, explains Hübner.
"Because the pandemic is a very stressful situation for all children and adolescents." Even without an infection, sleep disorders or concentration problems often occur.
“We don't want to create fear or panic,” he emphasizes.
But it is important that parents have a point of contact if they notice symptoms in their children.
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Prof. Dr.
Johannes Hübner from the Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the Hauner Children's Hospital
© LMU
There should be in Munich from the beginning of September.
The children's clinics of the Technical University and the LMU are jointly building Bavaria's first special outpatient clinic for children and adolescents suffering from Long-Covid.
It is financed by the “Care for Rare” foundation, which campaigns for children with rare diseases.
This is start-up funding for which the foundation collects donations (Care-for-Rare-Foundation, IBAN DE93 6305 0000 0000 0035 33, Sparkasse Ulm, keyword Long-Covid).
In the long term, the doctors are also hoping for government support.
Ambulance for Long-Covid in children: "We want to be prepared."
The money is also used to finance the medical staff in the specialist disciplines.
"We have the experts in the necessary sub-disciplines in our departments," explains Christoph Klein, chief physician at Dr.
von Haunersche Children's Hospital and founder of the foundation.
However, the specialists are heavily involved in everyday clinical practice.
With the help of the foundation, the experts for the Long Covid ambulance can be “unlocked”, explains Klein.
“We cannot currently estimate how many cases we will face in the next few months.
But we want to be prepared. "
We have known Covid-19 for a year and a half.
Much has not yet been explored.
Dr.
Johannes Huebner
Since there are currently no comparable positions in other regions of Bavaria, the special outpatient clinic wants to be open to young patients from all over the Free State - and also work closely with other clinics, explains Hübner. “Telemedicine structures are planned to enable nationwide care.” A weekly online meeting at which other clinics could submit cases would be conceivable, he says. Initially, clinics from the Munich area, in perspective from all of Bavaria. A digital register of long-covid patients is also planned.
"We have known Covid-19 for a year and a half," says Hübner.
“Much has not yet been researched.” Especially in the area of long-term effects, there are many unanswered questions, both with children and with patients.
“That is why research is very important to us.” In the Long Covid outpatient clinic, patients should be given the opportunity to take part in relevant research projects.
Due to the emergency care regulation, daycare children should currently stay at home.
Anyone who hopes for rapid tests will receive a damper from the ministry.
Parents are surprised.
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