FLCCC I-Care for Kids: Prevention and Treatment Protocol in Children and Adolescents (2023)
Most children with COVID-19 handle the virus well and recover fully. Despite
a lot of fear-mongering, COVID is not a deadly disease for most children. In
fact, data show that the death rate is extremely low in patients under 17
years old. This guide aims to help you understand the real risks and know
how to respond. The best thing you can do is focus on making sure your child
is healthy overall and that their immune system is strong and robust.
Recommended Therapies
Here's the summary (details and dosing below):
- Vitamin D: Adequate Vitamin D levels help our bodies fight inflammation and boosts immunity.
- Vitamin C: An excellent antiviral that protects against a wide variety of viruses including COVID-19.
- Vitamin A: Found in red, yellow, and orange vegetables and a main component in cod liver oil.
- Zinc: Strengthens innate and adaptive immunity and inhibits the virus from entering cells.
- Ibuprofen: Reduces fever, treats aches, and fights inflammation. Do not use for low-grade fever.
- Quercetin: Kills the virus, and is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.
- Probiotics: Helps train the immune system to attack pathogens (rather than itself).
- Ivermectin: Clinical experience shows ivermectin to be safe and effective in children.
- Melatonin: A potent antioxidant with important anti-inflammatory effects.
- Essential oils: Do not ingest; diffuse in the room or apply topically to the skin.
Vitamin D
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 400 IU of Vitamin D per day for infants younger than 12 months and 600 IU per day for children/adolescents. Breastfeeding infants should be given daily Vitamin D supplementation until they are fully weaned and drinking fortified milk.
Many functional and integrative clinicians think these guidelines are too low to address issues of mood, prevention of other diseases, and optimal immune function. Ideally, we recommend supplementation to achieve blood levels of 50-80 ng/dl. Since blood levels are dependent on sun exposure, diet, latitude, skin color, obesity, socioeconomic status, and individual genomics, it is difficult to recommend doses that will be optimal for every child. However, as a general rule, this is a good place to start:
- 0-12 months: 800 IU per day
- 1-5 years: 1500 IU per day.
- 5-12 years: 2000 IU per day
- 12-17 years: 3000 IU per day (or 4000 IU per day once adult size is reached)
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an excellent antiviral and protects against a wide variety of
viruses including COVID-19. It is also a spectacular antioxidant,
combatting the oxidative stress that happens when children are sick, hurt,
or stressed. Vitamin C is found in red, orange, and yellow fruits and
vegetables, so a healthy diet is crucial to providing Vitamin C sources.
Dosing recommendations vary, and many official recommendationsx xi are
lower than what some functional and integrative doctors would use in their
clinical practice. FLCCC recommendations for daily intake are as
follows:
- 0 to 6 months 40 mg
- 7 to 12 months 50 mg
- 1 to 3 years 15 mg
- 4 to 8 years 25 mg
- 9 to 13 years 45 mg
- 14 to 18 years 75 mg
When children are sick, they may benefit from higher doses. We often
recommend 500- 2000 mg/day when children are sick because they benefit
from the antioxidant effects. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, so any
excess will be excreted in the urine. Note that when Vitamin C is given as
an oral supplement, some children may develop diarrhea if too much is
given at one time.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is an excellent antiviral that has been used to successfully
treat measles, and it is found in red, yellow, and orange vegetables. It
is also one of the main components in cod liver oil (in addition to
Vitamin D and Omega-3 fatty acids). Our recommended dosages are as
follows:
- 0 to 6 months: 400 mcg/1300 IU
- 7 to 12 months: 500 mcg/1600 IU
- 1 to 3 years: 300 mcg/1000 IU
- 4 to 8 years: 400 mcg/1300 IU
- 9 to 13 years: 600 mcg/2000 IU
- 14 to 18 years (boy): 900 mcg/3000 IU
- 14 to 18 years (girl): 700 mcg/2300 IU
Zinc
Many children are deficient in zinc, which strengthens innate and adaptive
immunityxii and inhibits viral entry.
Food sources of zinc include oysters, clams, nuts, and seeds — foods that
most self-respecting toddlers and children do not eat often. Zinc has an
impact on appetite and is often lacking in the diet of picky eaters.
Correcting via food intake alone may be challenging, so zinc supplements
may be a good option. Zinc supplements should be given with food since
children sometimes feel nauseous if it is given on an empty stomach. Zinc
and copper maintain a see-saw relationship.
When zinc is low, copper tends to be high. When children are deficient in
zinc, supplements do not typically bother them. But after their zinc
stores are replenished, they may start to be disturbed by a metallic
taste. If this happens, decrease or stop giving zinc supplements.
Dosing guidelines: Give one dose close to bedtime, since it is valuable
for the detoxification processes that happen during sleep.
- Under 5 years old: work up to 5- 10 mg twice a day, given with food
- 5-12 years old: most children can tolerate 10-15 mg twice a day, given with food
- 12-18 years old: doses of 20-25 mg twice a day with food is usually well tolerated.
Quercetin
Quercetin, a mast cell stabilizer that prevents the release of
inflammatory cells and histamine, has direct virus-killing properties
against the virus that causes COVID.xiv It is a potent antioxidant and
anti-inflammatory agentxv that is usually well tolerated in children. A
flavonoid, quercetin is found in many fruits, vegetables, seeds, and
nuts. Rich sources include berries, onions, shallots, tomatoes, and
Brassica vegetables like broccoli and Brussels sprouts. Supplements
should not serve as a substitute for a nutrient-dense diet. Due to a
possible interaction between quercetin and ivermectin, if you are giving
your child ivermectin we suggest staggering the doses so one is given in
the morning and one at night. Reasonable starting doses for pediatric
patients follow, but doses can be doubled in consultation with your
pediatrician and based on your child’s circumstances.
- 2-4 years: 50 mg daily
- 4-8 years: 50-100 mg daily
- 8-12 years: 100-200 mg daily
- 12-18 years: 200-400 mg daily
Probiotics
The gut is the seat of the immune system in children; the microbiome they
develop in the first 1,000 days of life can have major implications for
their health as adults.
Probiotics help train the immune system to attack pathogens (rather than
itself) and inhibit the growth of microbial pathogens. The composition of
gut flora evolves as the child grows. Therefore, for infants, we recommend
probiotics that correspond to the composition of gut flora in breast milk
(which provides abundant lactobacillus and bifidobacterial). Probiotics come
in powders for infants, which can be sucked off a finger or mixed in soft
foods.
Toddlers can use powders or chewable tablets, which tend to be tart. Older
children can swallow capsules. As always, supplements should not substitute
for a diverse, nutrient-dense diet.
Good sources of probiotics and prebiotics include Kefir, low-sugar yogurts,
and fermented foods like pickles and sauerkraut. Children who are exposed to
tart and savory foods in infancy are more likely to enjoy those foods later,
compared to babies who are mostly offered the sweet foods they innately
prefer.
Note that children with less diverse gut flora or with a history of
Caesarean section birth, early antibiotic use, or lack of breastfeeding, are
more at risk for chronic illnesses later.
Melatonin
Melatonin is a potent antioxidant with important anti-inflammatory effects.
In young children who cannot swallow the extended-release pills, the
shortacting forms can be associated with nightmares and rebound night
wakening about 4-6 hours after sleep onset. If it is given at night,
extended-release formulations are preferred if the child can swallow pills.
Multiple studies in adults have shown melatonin beneficial in treating
COVID, but pediatric studies are lacking. However, a robust body of
literature about the use of melatonin for sleep disorders in children with
neurodevelopmental disorders, including ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder,
shows safety and efficacy. A good starting dose for pediatric patients is
0.5 to 1 mg/kg/dose.
Dosing should be flexible depending on how the child responds and whether
they have side effects. Doses can be increased as follows: for infants (1
mg), older children (2.5–3 mg), adolescents (5 mg), and for children with
special needs (0.5–10 mg) irrespective of age.xxiv The most common side
effect is morning sleepiness. Other side effects reported in the package
insert include headache, dizziness, and diarrhea.
Melatonin might be particularly indicated for children with autism since
they often have disrupted melatonin production and may have lower baseline
melatonin levels. Children with autism frequently have ongoing inflammation
and high levels of oxidative stress,xxxi so the anti-inflammatory and
antioxidant effects of melatonin may be particularly helpful in resolving
COVID-19 symptoms.
Ivermectin
Children in many countries around the world receive ivermectin regularly as
a dewormer. Experience suggests that the medication is safer than aspirin.
Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients weighing less than 15 kg (33
pounds) have not been established, according to the package insert, although
one published paper suggested it is safe under 15 kg.
This body weight limitation would apply to children on average less than 3
years old, who usually tolerate COVID quite well and may even be
asymptomatic. While the FDA has not approved ivermectin to treat COVID-19 in
pediatric or adolescent patients, our clinical experience, as well as the
analysis of worldwide data of efficacy in multiple populations — coupled
with our dissection of the flaws of trials that did not show ivermectin to
be effective against COVID-19 — lead us to conclude that ivermectin is safe
and effective in the prevention and early treatment of COVID-19 in children.
For pediatric dosing guidelines, we extrapolate from dosing recommendations
for use against parasites.
Most studies in pediatric patients use doses of 0.2-0.3 mg/kg/dose for
parasite treatment. Ivermectin in pediatric patients has been shown to be
safe in doses up to 600 mcg/kg/day. Continuous high-dose ivermectin has been
shown to be safe in children with leukemia.xx Case reports of ivermectin
toxicity in children show neurologic symptoms with full recovery at a dose
of 30mg/kg (100 times the usual dose).
Empirical experience by many integrative and functional medicine
practitioners leads us to feel comfortable with dosing ivermectin at 0.4
mg/kg/dose for 5 days as early treatment in at-risk children. The side
effect profile is less concerning than most other drugs we prescribe. For
prevention, we recommend weekly dosing at 0.4 mg/kg for most vulnerable
children. This can be modified based on exposure patterns and caseloads in
the child’s community.
For prevention, FLCCC recommend weekly dosing at 0.4 mg/kg for most
vulnerable children. This can be modified based on exposure patterns and
caseloads in the child’s community. For post-exposure prevention, give an
initial 0.4 mg per kg dose then repeat a second dose in 24 to 72 hours. The
package insert recommends taking on an empty stomach with water. However,
higher ivermectin levels are obtained when taken with a fatty meal, xxii
which is what we recommend for COVID.
Children who might benefit the most from early treatment with ivermectin
include those who have chronic conditions like obesity, diabetes, or chronic
lung and heart disease. Note: The American Academy of Pediatrics does not
recommend its routine use in children for COVID at this time.
For Special Circumstances
- Hydroxychloroquine: Not needed in most cases; decision to use in selected high-risk individuals would involve informed consent discussions between the clinician and family.
- Azithromycin: Azithromycin is formally recommended for certain bacterial illnesses and has the advantage of indications down to the age of 1 month. Its value in the treatment of COVID-19 is related to its role as a zinc ionophore, which means it allows zinc to enter cells. In July 2020, there was a call for studies utilizing azithromycin at the first signs of COVID illness, but there is little in the published literature about COVID and azithromycin and children. Most protocols that utilize azithromycin for pediatric patients use the standard dose of 10 mg/kg/day for 1 day, then 5 mg/kg/day for 4 days; maximum dose 1.5 gm total dose.
- Asthma medications: Children with asthma are at higher risk of complications from COVID infection. When COVID is circulating, it is wise to make sure that your asthmatic child keeps taking any controller medications (such as inhaled steroids) and has refills of any rescue medications (like albuterol).
- N-acetyl cysteine (NAC): Helps promote detoxification.
- Omega-3 essential fatty acids: Excellent anti-inflammatories.
- Mouthwashes and nasal sprays: Have not been studied in children with SARS-CoV2.
Not Routinely Recommended
- Acetaminophen in repeated doses: this can cause suppression of glutathione, which is important for proper immune balance, good detoxification, regeneration of gut epithelium, mitochondrial function, and as the major intracellular antioxidant. Too much acetaminophen can cause liver damage. Avoid repeated doses over the course of several days
- Antihistamines
- Antibiotics early in the illness
- Decongestants
- Cough suppressants
- Aspirin for fever: this is associated with potential Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious condition that most often affects children aged 6-12 years old with viral infections. Aspirin use has been correlated with swelling of the liver and brain and altered neurologic status that characterizes Reyes, so we do not recommend it for routine fever control. However, in cases of blood clotting and hyperinflammation after the initial viral load phase, baby aspirin once or twice a day can be very helpful.
What to do when your child has COVID
Lifestyle measures like excellent nutrition, good sleep, and being exposed to pets and good old-fashioned dirt will help modulate a child’s immune system so they can appropriately respond to viruses and infectious agents.
We also recommend:
- Regular handwashing with soap and water: Upper respiratory viruses are often spread when a child touches infectious material and then touches their nose or eyes, inoculating themselves with the virus. Frequent handwashing can interrupt this cycle.
- Playing outside in nature: The chance of catching a virus when playing outside is negligible. Spending time in nature is crucial to a child’s health, development, and mental well-being.
What NOT to do when your child has COVID
- Don’t panic! Most children usually experience COVID as a mild upper respiratory infection. Many will have no symptoms.
- Don’t isolate except when acutely ill.
- Don’t mask your child, as masks are not effective in limiting cases of COVID and can have negative effects.
Hydroxychloroquine in Children
In a Brazilian study (published on
MedRxiv 2021) as a pre-print, children with moderate symptoms were given
hydroxychloroquine sulfate 6.5 mg/kg/dose every 12 hours in the first
day and 3.25 mg/kg/dose every 12 hours from day 2 to 5.
Note: Dosage varies based on size and age of child; see I-CARE For Kids protocol for full details (February 2023 version):
Key Takeaway
Talk to your pediatrician before giving any supplement to your child. Most
milk formulas for kids are already fortified with multivitamins. Taking too
much multivitamins might be harmful to your kids.
DISCLAIMER
The I-CARE: For Kids protocol is meant solely for educational purposes regarding potentially beneficial treatment approaches for COVID-19 in children. Never disregard professional medical advice because of something you have read on our website and releases. This is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment regarding any patient. Treatment for an individual patient is determined by many factors and thus should rely on the judgment of your pediatrician or qualified healthcare provider. Always seek their advice with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition or health.
Please note FLCCC's full disclaimer at: www.flccc.net/disclaimer
Reposted and adapted from: https://covid19criticalcare.com/protocol/i-care-for-kids/
An alternative approach to treating acute and chronic pediatric conditions - with a focus on post COVID infection and post COVID vaccine symptoms, or “long vax”, in children. Dr. Paul Marik and Dr. Pierre Kory was joined by special guest, naturopathic pediatrician Dr. Lawrence Palevsky (video below):
Related:
Kids Z-Stack
Z-Stack is a multivitamin developed by Dr. Vladimir Zelenko, MD — a physician known for developing the "Zelenko Protocol" for treating and preventing COVID-19. The protocol has as its centerpiece, but not exclusive piece, the combined use of Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and Zinc as a means by which a person can both help to prevent or mitigate the contraction of COVID-19, or can actually treat the disease once it has been diagnosed.
|
| Z-Stack for Kids |
He has since evolved his protocols to include a quercetin, zinc, vitamin
D and C protocol for low-risk patients as well as guidelines for
COVID-19 prevention.
In an effort to make it easier for patients, Dr Zelenko has developed an oral supplement that contains all four key ingredients: vitamin C, quercetin, vitamin D3 and zinc together. It’s referred to as 'Z-Stack Supplement'.
Z-Stack Vitamin cocktail provides key ingredients needed in order to help your body fight off this deadly invader.
The cost of the Z-STACK vitamin cocktail is $55 per bottle for a one
month supply.
Dr. Zelenko has launched the Z-Stack vitamin for kids in the form of gummies, which could very well prove to be
effective in the prevention and treatment of the COVID-19 in kids.
The cost for Kids Z-Stack is $55 per bottle (90 gummies) as well.
Where to Buy Kids Z-Stack?
Kids Z-stack is available on Dr Zelenko's website. Here is the
link: Z Stack for Kids Supplement
Note: To get 5% OFF, please use this coupon code: DRFRANCIS
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