Protecting children in low-income and middle-income countries from COVID-19

Authors: Salahuddin Ahmed, Tisungane Mvalo, Samuel Akech, Ambrose Agweyu, Kevin Baker, Naor Bar-Zeev, Harry Campbell, William Checkley, Mohammod Jobayer Chisti, Tim Colbourn, Steve Cunningham, Trevor Duke, Mike English, Adegoke G Falade, Nicholas SS Fancourt, Amy S Ginsburg, Hamish R Graham, Diane M Gray, Madhu Gupta, Laura Hammitt, Anneke C Hesseling, Shubhada Hooli, Abdul-Wahab BR Johnson, Carina King, Miles A Kirby, Claudio F Lanata, Norman Lufesi, Grant A Mackenzie, John P McCracken, Peter P Moschovis, Harish Nair, Osawaru Oviawe, William S Pomat, Mathuram Santosham, James A Seddon, Lineo Keneuoe Thahane, Brian Wahl, Marieke Van der Zalm, Charl Verwey, Lay-Myint Yoshida, Heather J Zar, Stephen RC Howie, Eric D McCollum

Drawing on our shared child pneumonia experience globally, we highlight the potential impacts of COVID-19 on children and propose a collective response.

Abstract

A saving grace of the COVID-19 pandemic in high-income and upper middle-income countries has been the relative sparing of children. As the disease spreads across low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), long-standing system vulnerabilities may tragically manifest, and we worry that children will be increasingly impacted, both directly and indirectly. Drawing on our shared child pneumonia experience globally, we highlight these potential impacts on children in LMICs and propose actions for a collective response.

Published in BMJ Global Health