An ethical analysis of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health of children and adolescents

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the lives of children and adolescents around the world. Hence, this study aimed to examine how the pandemic has impacted children and adolescents in Brazil through an ethical analysis. An interpretive analysis of Brazilian research on child and adolescent health during the pandemic was conducted. Recognizing this ethical dimension is pivotal to shedding more light on how responses to crisis situations, such as the current situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, can be shaped and where the priorities for action are according to all interested parties, situating the child between these parts of interest. Our analysis highlighted both direct and indirect effects surrounding the decision-making processes for children in the COVID-19 pandemic reality. These decisional processes must sustain the child’s right to participation to ascertain that the action taken is in the child’s best interests. Nevertheless, the Brazilian reality has shown a structural exclusion of children’s voices in decisions affecting them, particularly concerning the effects of the pandemic on their lives. Further studies must be conducted to deepen the knowledge about children’s best interests and their participation in the actions planned during the pandemic.

Cuidado de crianças e adolescentes em tratamento oncológico na pandemia da COVID-19: experiência de familiares

“…Dentre estas medidas protetivas, destacamse: isolamento social; restrição de reuniões com outras pessoas que não sejam do convívio domiciliar; uso de máscaras; higienização das mãos e das roupas; bem como saídas de casa apenas para comparecer ao serviço de saúde, quando necessário 2,9,10 . Quanto à continuidade do tratamento, as mudanças nos fluxos de atendimento, redução no número de atendimentos, cancelamentos de procedimentos cirúrgicos eletivos e reorganização estrutural das instituições foram algumas das recomendações indicadas pelos órgãos sanitários brasileiros, a fim de diminuir a exposição da população ao vírus e proporcionar mais possibilidades de leitos hospitalares destinados à pacientes suspeitos ou confirmados por COVID-19 10 Essas medidas de restrição da circulação de pessoas e racionalização de recursos, além do atraso para início da vacinação durante a pandemia, repercutiram em barreiras no acesso de pacientes aos serviços de saúde, principalmente para crianças com condições de saúde complexas e que exigem cuidados específicos, aumentando a vulnerabilidade dessa população devido às dificuldades para os atendimentos de saúde e ao impacto na rotina com as mudanças advindas com a pandemia 11 .…”

Clinical and epidemiological profile of COVID-19 patients hospitalized in the North of Mato Grosso: A cross-sectional study

“…In the study conducted by Silva et al (2022) in the state of Pernambuco, obesity was one of the most frequent comorbidities and was present in 4.2% of deaths. Among respiratory diseases, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are the most frequent (Castro et al, 2021;Pontes et al, 2022;Paiva et al, 2020). A study carried out by Nesello et al (2022) also noted the high prevalence of kidney disease among patients.…”

“…Ritonavir. In the study by Pontes et al (2022), azithromycin was the most used medication, followed by anticoagulants and antivirals associated with antimicrobials.…”