The Silent Victims of the Pandemic: Children During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Crisis

Abstract

The coronavirus disease-19 pandemic has adversely affected children’s health since its inception. Apart from the mortality and morbidity due to infection, child health monitoring, vaccination, and nutrition programs, especially in newborns and young children, have been disrupted. Measures such as school closures and curfews to prevent the spread of infection brought along many physical and mental health problems by causing disruption of education, social isolation, and closure of children at home. The possible long-term effects of the delayed implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in Health have also deeply affected children, who are the most vulnerable victims of the coronavirus disease-19 pandemic.

Protection of Child Health in Emergencies

“…Follow-up health services were interrupted, leading to disrupted vaccination schedules in 68 countries, affecting 80 million children. 10 …”

“…Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most children continued their education online instead of face-to-face, resulting in a decrease in female education rates, an increase in early marriages, deterioration of nutrition, and psychosocial support programs, thus widening the gap between different social groups. 10 After Cyclone Idai, affecting Zimbabwe, a 13% decrease in school enrollment and a 2.6% decrease in mean pass rate were documented. 58 …”