HYDERABAD: It can be difficult to watch your child push food around on the plate but barely put any in their mouth, but there are several possible reasons for decline in appetite.
However, most of the children are experincing loss of appetite due to Pharyngitis, commonly known as sore throat, there by resulting in massive dehydration.
Several hospitals across the city are seeing an upward trend in children with flu-like symptoms including mild to severe fever, cold and cough and body aches. However, the symptom that has left parents most worried is sore throat, which is the most common symptom for Covid-19.
Doctors said that majority of the children are picking up symptoms from their family members who have suffered from Covid-19. “Many parents are not even getting their children tested if they develop any symptoms and are resorting to over the counter medicines and home remedies.
If the child has been exposed to Covid-19 affected family member, the child needs to be treated accordingly,” said Dr Faizal Nahdi, lead consultant paediatrician, Rainbow Hospitals.
“Due to sore throat, children are finding it difficult to swallow. Because of lack of food intake and high grade fever, children are getting dehydrated. Majority admissions in hospitals are also of children who are dehydrated,” said Dr Anjul Dayal, in-charge of paediatric department at Continental Hospitals.
He suggested that parents should not force feed “If the child vomits, the consumed food will also be thrown out thereby sucking more energy. Parents should ensure that the child is well hydrated by feeding small quantities of food and more fluids,” said Dayal.
