Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow. New York City is on ‘high alert’ after reporting 100 cases of a rare inflammatory disease apparently tied to COVID-19 in children. The city recently began reporting rising cases of paediatric multi-system inflammatory syndrome, an illness that officials say is similar to toxic shock or Kawasaki disease, with symptoms including a fever and abdominal pain and which ‘appears to be linked to an immune response to COVID-19,’ The New York Times reports. City Mayor Bill de Blasio, in a press briefing on Thursday said, "We are now on high alert in addressing the syndrome after the number of confirmed cases of paediatric multi-system inflammatory syndrome in the city has reached 100.” “Among those cases, 55 children have tested positive for COVID-19 or the antibodies”, de Blasio said, “and one child has died.” Two other children have also died from the illness in New York State, according to the Times. De Blasio had reported 82 cases of the syndrome in the city. These developments continue to be ‘really troubling’ after it was previously thought that "children seemed to have very little effect from this disease," de Blasio said. He urged parents to call their doctor immediately if a child had a persistent fever, a rash, abdominal pain, vomiting, and especially a combination of these symptoms.
Understanding Paediatric Syndrome in the Passage
The passage discusses a serious health issue: a paediatric multi-system inflammatory syndrome linked to COVID-19 cases in New York City children. It highlights the symptoms, the number of cases, and the concern among health officials.
The question specifically asks about the meaning of the word 'paediatric' as used in this context.
Analyzing the Term ‘Paediatric’
Let's look at how the word ‘paediatric’ is used in the passage:
- The passage mentions "paediatric multi-system inflammatory syndrome".
- It then explains that this illness is being reported in "children".
- Mayor Bill de Blasio states that "100 confirmed cases of paediatric multi-system inflammatory syndrome in the city has reached 100" and that "Among those cases, 55 children have tested positive...and one child has died."
The consistent link between the term ‘paediatric’ and the discussion about children strongly suggests that the term relates to children or illnesses affecting children.
Evaluating the Options
Based on the context provided, let's examine the given options:
- medical care of adults: The passage explicitly discusses the syndrome in children, not adults. This option is incorrect.
- stomach diseases: While abdominal pain is mentioned as a symptom of this specific syndrome, 'paediatric' refers to the age group affected, not the type of disease (though it is a multi-system illness, not just stomach-related). This option is too specific and doesn't capture the meaning of 'paediatric'.
- medical care of children: This aligns perfectly with the passage's context, where the syndrome is described as affecting children and leading to cases and even deaths among children. 'Paediatric' is the branch of medicine dealing with children and their diseases.
- research in immunity: The passage mentions the syndrome "appears to be linked to an immune response to COVID-19". While immunity is involved in the cause, 'paediatric' itself does not mean research in immunity. This option is incorrect.
Conclusion on Paediatric Meaning
The passage clearly uses ‘paediatric’ in relation to children's health. The medical term ‘paediatric’ refers to the branch of medicine concerning the health and medical care of infants, children, and adolescents.
Revision Table: Key Terms from the Passage
| Term | Context in Passage | Meaning Inferred |
|---|---|---|
| Paediatric | Paediatric multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children | Relating to children or their medical care |
| Inflammatory Syndrome | Rare illness with symptoms like fever, rash, pain | A group of symptoms indicating inflammation across body systems |
| COVID-19 | Virus apparently tied to the syndrome | The disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus |
Additional Information on Medical Terminology
Understanding medical prefixes and roots can be helpful. For example:
- ‘Paedo-’ or ‘Pedo-’ (from Greek ‘pais’) means child.
- ‘-iatric’ or ‘-iatrics’ means medical treatment or the branch of medicine.
Thus, paediatric literally relates to the medical treatment of children. Similarly, ‘geriatric’ relates to the medical care of elderly people.
This reinforces that ‘paediatric’ specifically refers to the medical field focused on children.
Similar Questions
Which of these statements is NOT true?
The biggest consolation of having a guide dog is that it will:
Who was the narrator’s first guide dog?
What does ‘canine partner’ refer to?
The main theme of the passage is:
It can be said that children are suffering from the disease if they have the following symptoms:
a) Pain in the stomach
b) Fever that does not go
c) Toxic shock
d) Vomiting
e) Pain in the whole body
- When the City Mayor says, "We are now on high alert in addressing the syndrome”, he means:
- The new disease is said to be a ‘multi-system disorder’. This means:
- It was previously thought that ‘children seemed to have very little effect from this disease’. ‘This disease’ refers to:
- Which of the following is NOT an earlier Italian civilisation as mentioned in the passage?
Important Questions from Reading Comprehension
What is the meaning of ‘intrigued’?
What are ice shelves?
What are icebergs?
When the iceberg turns upside down, it appears ________.
The use of science in its simple form has helped man to ____________
