A surge in the death rate among infant and children is observed by Brazilian authorities in the country. However, the lack of COVID-19 testing is keeping the records artificially low, revealed by an expert to BBC.

More than 1,300 babies or infant from the country have been killed by COVID-19 since the pandemic began, according to an NBC News report. Other factors also contribute to the deaths of infants in the country.

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Why Infant COVID Death Records Are Lower Than Actual Numbers

The low records of infant deaths related to COVID-19 was explained by Dr. Fatima Marinho. Marinho is a senior adviser to an international health non-government organization called Vital Strategies. Marinho confirmed that the lack of testing is keeping the true count of deaths lower than it is supposed to be.

Meanwhile, the Brazilian Health Ministry estimated that 852 children under nine years old have died because of COVID-19, according to The Hill. Among these numbers, the ministry noted that 518 are babies or infants.

However, Marinho disagreed and shares her estimation, which is more than twice the number announced by the Ministry of Health is taking place.

Marinho believes that there is a misconception surrounding the issue, that children have zero risks against coronavirus.

Because of this, Marinho executed a study wherein she calculated the excess of deaths by unspecified acute respiratory syndrome during the pandemic. Marinho found out that there were 10 times more deaths because of an unexplained respiratory syndrome than in the previous years.

Marinho was able to discover that about 2,060 children under nine years old died because of COVID-19, in which 1,302 were babies.

Marinho noted that the country does not have enough tests for the general population. In addition, they have fewer tests or resources that can be used to test the children.

Experts in Brazil also noted that apart from low rates of coronavirus testing, lack of contact tracing and vaccine shortage are also reasons for the country's death surge. Because of this, infants and children have an increased risk of exposure and potential mortality.

Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome on Children

Throughout Marinho's study, the doctor discovered that there is a surge in multi-system inflammatory syndrome. Also called MIS-C, the condition is a rare yet serious disease where different body parts can become inflamed. These body parts can be the lungs, heart, brain, skin, eyes, and even gastrointestinal organs.

CDC noted that many children with MIS-C had SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 and children can get better with medical attention.

However, Marinho emphasized that children positive for COVID-19 are often tested too late, or when they are already seriously ill.

"Because there is a delay in diagnosis, there is a delay in care of the child," said Marinho.

 Dr. Christos Christou, president of Doctors Without Borders. noted that the country needs a science-based and well-coordinated reset to prevent further avoidable deaths - like infant deaths - due to COVID.

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WATCH: Brazil hits grim new Covid death record - from BBC News