1.0 Introduction: The Shifting Clinical Landscape of COVID-19 in Paediatric Populations
The evolution of SARS-CoV-2 continues to present new challenges for frontline clinicians, underscoring the strategic importance of understanding the shifting symptomatology of emerging variants. For those in paediatric emergency medicine, a clear grasp of the current clinical presentation is essential for accurate triage, diagnosis, and management. The recent emergence of new Omicron sub-variants, namely Nimbus (NB.1.8.1) and Stratus (XFG), has been identified as the driver of a slow-moving global wave of infections. This review will analyze the current epidemiological trends in children, detail the clinical presentation associated with these novel lineages, address the significant challenges in differential diagnosis, and outline current testing recommendations based on recent clinical observations and public health guidance. This analysis provides a concise clinical framework to guide diagnostic and management decisions during the 2024-2025 respiratory virus season.