Children & Pregnancy COVID-19 FAQs

People of all ages, including children, can become infected with COVID-19. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children’s Hospital Association, U.S. children represent 13% of all COVID cases.

While we are still learning about COVID-19 and children, children do not become as sick as often as adults, often displaying either minor or no symptoms. However, some children may become severely ill and may need to be hospitalized. Children with underlying medical conditions, such as obesity, diabetes and asthma, or have congenital heart disease, or genetic conditions may be at higher risk of severe COVID-19 illness. Babies under the age of 1 may also be at higher risk of severe illness due to their immature immune systems and smaller airways.

Currently, the evidence does not suggest that the variants are specifically targeting children.

Experts are continuing to monitor the varians to better understand its impact, including children.

Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-in-babies-and-children/art-20484405

If your child feels sick or unwell, it is important to call their pediatrician and to avoid going to public places (work, school) to prevent spreading the virus to others. If possible, have your child use separate a bathroom and bedroom from other family members, wear masks, and regularly disinfect high touch surfaces.

The CDC has outlined what to do when caring for someone with COVD-19.

Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-in-babies-and-children/art-20484405

Post COVID-19 condition, or “long COVID” is described as symptoms persisting longer than four weeks in some people after initial recovery from COVID.

More research is needed to understand the long-term effects of long COVID; however, there have been some cases of long COVID in children and young adults without pre-existing medical conditions and those who experienced mild symptoms. Studies suggest that children with long COVID have persistent symptoms including fatigue, gastrointestinal problems, sore throats, headaches, and muscle pain and weakness. Additionally, children and young adults may also be affected by multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), a rare but serious condition that appears to be linked to COVID-19.

Source:
https://www.unicef.org/stories/novel-coronavirus-outbreak-frequently-asked-questions

According to Dr. Jamie Barstein, a child clinical psychologist, the best way to talk with your child about COVID-19 is to use language that is best appropriate for their developmental level, being “honest and factual, while being aware of your child’s ability to process and understand the situation.” It also important to recognize that your child is also learning from peers, the internet, and social media: informing yourself with facts and reliable information will help you talk with your child.

If your child is feeling anxious or worried, it is important that you validate your child’s feelings so that they feel heard and seen. You can use statements like “I understand that you are worried”, or “I know that it can feel scary”, and then tell them what scientists and doctors are doing to help make the public feel safe. Seek professional help if your child is showing ongoing patterns of emotional or behavioral concerns (i.e. nightmares, excessive focus on anxieties, increased aggression, etc…) that do not resolve with support.

For more resources for supporting children’s emotional well-being during the pandemic, please visit Child Trends.

Sources:
https://www.thehelpgroup.org/frequently-asked-questions-about-covid-19-children-with-special-needs/

https://www.childtrends.org/publications/resources-for-supporting-childrens-emotional-well-being-during-the-covid-19-pandemic

Although there have been concerns about negative effects of masks on children, the Mayo Clinic states that there are no adverse health consequences on children from wearing masks.

For children, find a mask that it made specifically for children to ensure proper fit. Like adults, make sure your child’s mask fits snugly over their nose and mouth and under the chin. Children younger than 2 years old should NOT wear masks.

Some other considerations, outlined by the Child Life team at Michigan Medicine C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, for mask wearing for children include:

• Using kid-friendly language. Kids respond to simple, positive, gentle, and concrete explanations, such as “It’s a rule that everyone wear shoes when we go to the store, it’s a rule right now to wear a mask when we leave the house” or “Face masks help protect us from other people’s germs and protect then from us. That keeps us and others safe and healthy”
• Model mask-wearing. Children pick up behaviors from peers and adults, and others around them. If they see parents or older siblings wearing masks and it’s a rule that applies to everyone, then they will likely imitate that behavior too; however, resistance and stubbornness should also be expected.
• Practice through play. Practicing to wear a mask through playful activities may promote mask-wearing in children. For example, putting masks on favorite dolls or stuffed animals, drawing face masks on characters in coloring books, or comparing mask-wearing to dressing up as a superhero.
• Let them choose the mask. Allowing children to pick the color or design of the masks gives them a sense of control.
• Take baby steps. Giving treats or small prizes when children wear a face mask for a short amount of time is recommended. They could start by wearing a mask during their favorite TV show or keep it on for periods of time during an outside walk. By gradually increasing the time, your child will get better at being comfortable with wearing a mask.

Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html

https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/benefits-of-kids-wearing-masks-in-school/

https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/childrens-health/5-ways-to-get-young-kids-to-wear-face-masks

According to the California Department of Public Health, California schools have received state and federal funding to support a safe return to school, including social/emotional and mental health resources, additional teachers and counselor staffing, upgrades to classroom ventilation systems, COVID-19 testing and contact tracing, and additional programs for learning.

You can see how much funding your child’s district received for the 2021-2022 school year by looking at the public school district and charter school maps.

Source:
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/AnswersFAQsReopeningSchools.aspx

Generally, COVID-19 spreads less among children compared to adults. Research has indicated that children have primarily got COVID-19 from adults at the home, even when they were attending school. The risk at school is low when additional safety precautions are implemented, such as mask wearing, good ventilation in classrooms, washing hands, and social distancing. To curb transmission, it is also important that your child stays at home if they are not feeling well or are symptomatic.

Source:
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/AnswersFAQsReopeningSchools.aspx

Getting vaccinated is an important step in gaining confidence. Vaccines have proven effective in preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death, even with new variants in circulation. All children 6 months and older, along with family/household members, should get vaccinated, and boosted when eligible.

Parents can also talk with their child’s school and explore their website to find out their school’s safety plan. Every school is required to develop a COVID-19 safety plan and post it online.

For more information about California schools visit at Safe Schools for All Page.

Source:
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/AnswersFAQsReopeningSchools.aspx

According to the CDC:

• pregnant people and recently pregnant people are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 compared to non-pregnant people, although this risk remains low.
• Having certain underlying medical conditions, and other factors (age) can increase a pregnant or recently pregnant (at least 42 days following the end of pregnancy) person’s risk for developing severe illness
• Pregnant people with COVID-19 are at an increased risk for preterm birth (delivery earlier than 37 weeks) and other poor pregnancy outcomes
• Evidence about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy has been growing. These data suggest that the benefits of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine outweigh any known or potential risks of vaccination during pregnancy.
• There is currently no evidence that any vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, cause fertility problems in women or men.
• If you are unvaccinated, the best way to protect yourself is to limit in-person interactions to those potentially exposed, getting vaccinated, wearing a mask and other preventive measures

Source:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/pregnant-people.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/pregnancy.html

Based on available data, it is unclear if having COVID-19 could make it harder to become pregnant.

Source:
https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/covid-19/

While miscarriages can occur in any pregnancy, there is no evidence to suggest an increase chance of miscarriage in COVID-19 infections in pregnacy compared to the general population; however, more research is needed in this topic.

Source:
https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/covid-19/

The background risk of every pregnancy is 3-5% change of having a birth defect. The present evidence on COVID-19 infections in pregnancy have not reported any birth defects related to COVID-19.

It is important to note that high fever, which is a potential symptom of COVID-19, during the first trimester may increase the chance of certain birth defects. Taking fever-reducing medicines to reduce fever during pregnancy is typically recommended; however, it is important to discuss your healthcare plan and treatment with a healthcare provider if you are sick with COVID-19 and develop a fever.

Source:
https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/covid-19/

Studies have indicated that pregnant people or recently pregnant people have an increased risk of severe illness, including hospitalization, ventilator/ICU, compared to non-pregnant people.

Other pregnancy complications observed in studies have included:

• Preterm delivery
• Preeclampsia (dangerously high blood pressure)
• Placenta effects
• Need for emergency C-section
• Blood clots

Source:
https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/covid-19/

Although there have been reports of the COVID-19 virus found in the umbilical cord blood and amniotic fluid of people who have COVID-19 or near time of delivery and a small amount of newborns testing positive soon after birth, this appears to be rare. In reports of infants born to people with COVID-19 around the time of delivery, most newborns had no evidence of infection. The risk of the newborn developing COVID-19 may be higher if the mother* has an active infection at the time of delivery.

*We acknowledge and recognize that not all people identify as “men” or “women”. The term “Mother” in this situation is the source of the egg and/or uterus

Source:
https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/covid-19/

According to the CDC, current evidence suggests that breast milk is not likely to spread the virus to babies.

If you have COVID-19 and choose to breastfeed:

• Wash your hands before breastfeeding
• Wear a mask while breastfeeding and whenever you are within 6 feet of your baby

If you have COVID-19 and choose to express breast milk:

• Wash your hands before touching any pump or bottle parts, and before expressing breast milk
• Use your own breast pump
• Wear a mask as you express breast milk
• Clean all parts of the pump coming into contact with breast milk
• Consider having a healthy caregiver feed the expressed breast milk to the baby
• Have the healthy caregiver wear a mask while feeding or caring for the baby for the entire time you are in isolation during their own quarantine period after you complete isolation

Source:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/pregnancy-breastfeeding.html#caring-for-newborns