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https://www.volkskrant.nl/nieuws-ac...rie-waart-rond-onder-jonge-kinderen~b2bad5d0/
Pediatricians sound the alarm: dangerous bacteria is circulating among young children
At least seven young children have died in the Netherlands in recent months after infection with the dangerous group A streptococcus. That is remarkably more than in other years and a cause for concern, according to pediatricians. There seems to be a catch-up effect after the corona measures.
Maarten Keulemans May 11, 2022, 14:27
About 70 cases in young children have been reported in academic hospitals in recent months. “We know that this always peaks in the spring. But I would cautiously estimate that we are now seeing a threefold increase compared to previous years', says pediatrician-infectiologist/immunologist Michiel van der Flier (UMC Utrecht). "Here in Utrecht alone we had ten cases, and group A streptococcal infection was determined as the cause of death in two deceased young children who came to our hospital for examination."
His colleague, medical microbiologist Elske Sieswerda, agrees that this is 'a frightening elevation'. "I've seen a few very serious cases already. It is striking that we also see necrotizing fasciitis, in which the bacterium affects skin and muscles. We actually never see that in children.' Official registrations confirm that image. Before corona, an average of seven serious infections per year were reported in young children. The counter is now 11, with the year not yet halfway through.
Flesh-eating bacteria
The GAS bacteria (short for: group A streptococci) normally causes fairly harmless conditions, ranging from scarlet fever to strep throat and impetigo. But in rare cases, the bacterium can lead to blood poisoning, joint and bone inflammation, meningitis and therefore also to necrotizing fasciitis, to which the bacillus owes its nickname the 'flesh-eating bacteria'. Usually the inflammation can be treated with antibiotics, but sometimes the surgeon must remove affected tissue or proceed with amputation. Sometimes the outcome is fatal.
It is 'speculative', emphasizes Van der Flier, but there may be a catch-up effect after the corona years. After all, the bacterium often strikes after chickenpox, probably because the bacteria then seizes its chance via the affected skin. "And with the school closures and other corona measures such as keeping distance in recent years, we have also seen fewer chickenpox. That could lead to an increase in chickenpox infections right now.”
Inquiries with research institute Nivel confirm this picture. In recent years, GPs have seen very few cases of chickenpox – and hospitals have reported hardly any serious GAD infections. But at the end of last year, chickenpox started to spread again. In infants and toddlers, but also in children between 5 and 15 years of age: this group currently has twice as many chickenpox as the years before the pandemic.
Springback effect
In any case, there is no new, dangerous strain of the bacteria involved, research has shown. Sieswerda is therefore also thinking of a rebound effect. "I suspect that this is related to the fact that children have been colonized less often in the past two years."
The paediatricians, the RIVM and the NHG GP have sent a warning to the general practitioners: beware if children who have just had chickenpox become ill again, that could be the bacteria. 'General practitioners are of course aware of this,' says Van der Flier. "But we hope that everyone is extra alert again."
More or less the same advice applies to parents, he says: if a child with chickenpox develops a fever again and becomes drowsy, contact the doctor. "And give a child with chickenpox paracetamol and not stronger anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen or diclofenac," he advises. “That may increase the risk of GAS infections.” There is no reason to panic, Van der Flier emphasizes: “The incidence is again so low that we don't have to take all kinds of general measures right away.”
Weakened Resistance
The GAS bacteria is not the only infectious disease that behaves unusually after corona. For example, there was a major outbreak of RS virus last year, in the middle of the summer, of course. And in the United Kingdom, among others, people are concerned about a sudden outbreak of inflammation of the liver (hepatitis), also among children.
Van der Flier seems less likely that the resistance of children has been weakened by sitting at home during the lockdowns, as is claimed in alternative circles. "Personally, I don't think that's the case. Then we should also see less response from children to vaccination, and that doesn't seem to be the case.'
https://www.volkskrant.nl/nieuws-ac...rie-waart-rond-onder-jonge-kinderen~b2bad5d0/
Pediatricians sound the alarm: dangerous bacteria is circulating among young children
At least seven young children have died in the Netherlands in recent months after infection with the dangerous group A streptococcus. That is remarkably more than in other years and a cause for concern, according to pediatricians. There seems to be a catch-up effect after the corona measures.
Maarten Keulemans May 11, 2022, 14:27
About 70 cases in young children have been reported in academic hospitals in recent months. “We know that this always peaks in the spring. But I would cautiously estimate that we are now seeing a threefold increase compared to previous years', says pediatrician-infectiologist/immunologist Michiel van der Flier (UMC Utrecht). "Here in Utrecht alone we had ten cases, and group A streptococcal infection was determined as the cause of death in two deceased young children who came to our hospital for examination."
His colleague, medical microbiologist Elske Sieswerda, agrees that this is 'a frightening elevation'. "I've seen a few very serious cases already. It is striking that we also see necrotizing fasciitis, in which the bacterium affects skin and muscles. We actually never see that in children.' Official registrations confirm that image. Before corona, an average of seven serious infections per year were reported in young children. The counter is now 11, with the year not yet halfway through.
Flesh-eating bacteria
The GAS bacteria (short for: group A streptococci) normally causes fairly harmless conditions, ranging from scarlet fever to strep throat and impetigo. But in rare cases, the bacterium can lead to blood poisoning, joint and bone inflammation, meningitis and therefore also to necrotizing fasciitis, to which the bacillus owes its nickname the 'flesh-eating bacteria'. Usually the inflammation can be treated with antibiotics, but sometimes the surgeon must remove affected tissue or proceed with amputation. Sometimes the outcome is fatal.
It is 'speculative', emphasizes Van der Flier, but there may be a catch-up effect after the corona years. After all, the bacterium often strikes after chickenpox, probably because the bacteria then seizes its chance via the affected skin. "And with the school closures and other corona measures such as keeping distance in recent years, we have also seen fewer chickenpox. That could lead to an increase in chickenpox infections right now.”
Inquiries with research institute Nivel confirm this picture. In recent years, GPs have seen very few cases of chickenpox – and hospitals have reported hardly any serious GAD infections. But at the end of last year, chickenpox started to spread again. In infants and toddlers, but also in children between 5 and 15 years of age: this group currently has twice as many chickenpox as the years before the pandemic.
Springback effect
In any case, there is no new, dangerous strain of the bacteria involved, research has shown. Sieswerda is therefore also thinking of a rebound effect. "I suspect that this is related to the fact that children have been colonized less often in the past two years."
The paediatricians, the RIVM and the NHG GP have sent a warning to the general practitioners: beware if children who have just had chickenpox become ill again, that could be the bacteria. 'General practitioners are of course aware of this,' says Van der Flier. "But we hope that everyone is extra alert again."
More or less the same advice applies to parents, he says: if a child with chickenpox develops a fever again and becomes drowsy, contact the doctor. "And give a child with chickenpox paracetamol and not stronger anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen or diclofenac," he advises. “That may increase the risk of GAS infections.” There is no reason to panic, Van der Flier emphasizes: “The incidence is again so low that we don't have to take all kinds of general measures right away.”
Weakened Resistance
The GAS bacteria is not the only infectious disease that behaves unusually after corona. For example, there was a major outbreak of RS virus last year, in the middle of the summer, of course. And in the United Kingdom, among others, people are concerned about a sudden outbreak of inflammation of the liver (hepatitis), also among children.
Van der Flier seems less likely that the resistance of children has been weakened by sitting at home during the lockdowns, as is claimed in alternative circles. "Personally, I don't think that's the case. Then we should also see less response from children to vaccination, and that doesn't seem to be the case.'