Abstract
It has been widely reported that vast majority of children have
experienced only mild symptoms in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic
outbreak. It also appears that children have a minimal risk of
developing COVID-19 and also minimal risk of a fatal outcome. Reasons
for this is largely unknown in the present circumstances. Patients with
severe and uncontrolled asthma have also been classified to be at
increased risk of developing more severe COVID-19. It has been earlier
speculated that children were less sensitive to COVID-19 because the
maturity and binding ability of angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2)
in children may be lower than in adults. A recent study indicate that
children with asthma and allergies have reduced ACE2 gene expression due
to down-regulation of the ACE2 receptor. It is conceivable that
virus-induced immune response and subsequent tissue damage may be less
pronounced in children. So far, there is no evidence to suggest that
children with chronic diseases like asthma and allergy will have a more
severe reaction to COVID-19.