First department in Brandenburg opened for children with Long Covid

First department in Brandenburg opened for children with Long Covid

At the University Hospital Ruppin-Brandenburg in Neuruppin, something is happening, and this is of great importance for many parents and children: a new department is set up, which will take care of children and adolescents with long covid or vaccine damage. This center is the first of its kind in Brandenburg and aims to offer these young patients the best possible care. The management takes over the experienced Karen Müller-Schlüter, who specializes in the challenges of these diseases, as RBB24 reports.

More and more young people are fighting with serious symptoms of Long Covid, which are often so different that they are difficult to assign. From concentration difficulties to physical restrictions, such as the need for wheelchairs, everything is included. The new premises offer diagnoses, treatments and valuable advice, which is to relieve affected families in particular. The focus is on topics such as nutritional therapies and school integration.

an urgent problem

Despite the major challenges that Long Covid brings, many children have so far not been adequately treated. They are often even instructed in psychiatric clinics because the symptoms are not recognized and treated in time. The first aid is usually done through child and general practitioners who are often required to understand and treat the diverse and non-specific complaints of the young patients.

The new center in Neuruppin is not alone in the country. The socially pediatric center (SPZ) in Potsdam also offers specialized offers for children with long covid and related diseases. There are also social pediatric centers in Cottbus and Frankfurt (Oder). However, there are also gaps: these centers are currently excluded from video consultation hours, which is an additional challenge in the supply.

nationwide initiative

But in Brandenburg it doesn't stay with this one facility. The Pednet LC network is planning a nationwide nationwide supply landscape for children and adolescents with long covid or vaccine damage. The ambitious goal: the improvement of diagnostics and therapy in specialized supply centers. In this context, affected families should also be included in the planning and implementation, so that they receive the necessary support in order to be up to the challenges in everyday life, like that [Federal Ministry of Health] (https://www.bundesgesundheitministerium.de/ Ministerium/ressortforschung/ärtungenfelder/Forschungschwerpunkte/long-/post-covid/modul-1-kiju/pednet-lc.html) explained.

Numerous renowned institutions are involved in the large overall project, including the TUM Klinikum and the Charité - University Medicine Berlin. Together with various cooperation partners, a register is to be set up in order to optimize the supply situation and exchange medical data. The focus is also on health literacy in schools to raise awareness of Long Covid.

Support for those affected

But what does Long Covid mean for the affected children and young people? The effects can affect all areas of life. Relatives play a crucial role when it comes to helping young patients in everyday life. Coping strategies such as beneficial activities or relaxation techniques are important to improve the quality of life. Pacing, i.e. the conscious division of your own forces, is considered helpful to deal with the challenges, according to the BMG Long Covid.

In addition, some children need special tools that make everyday life easier for them, such as shower chairs or wheelchairs. Parents can also seek advice on potential help and their assumption of costs. A strong social support from the environment is also essential to offer the withdrawn children with support and understanding.

The new offers in Brandenburg are a step in the right direction - for the affected children and their families. It remains to be hoped that these measures will finally get light into the dark of Long Covid and the associated challenges.