What do we know about the inflammatory syndrome impacting children with COVID-19?
What do we know about the inflammatory syndrome impacting children with COVID-19?
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The majority of young people infected have had relatively mild cases of COVID-19. However, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (U.S. CDC) recently identified the more severe multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) as a new syndrome associated with the virus that causes COVID-19. This inflammatory syndrome was first identified in April 2020 and is characterized by inflammation in different body parts, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs. While MIS-C is rare, it can be deadly. Symptoms in children include fever, abdominal (gut) pain, vomiting, diarrhea, neck pain, rash, bloodshot eyes, or fatigue. This is a newly identified condition that requires more research, but doctors have observed that symptoms can develop within four weeks of exposure to the novel coronavirus. The inflammation can be managed with medicines that can prevent damage to vital organs. MIS-C occurs in young people under 21, according to its case definition, although it is thought to mostly affect children between the ages of 2 to 15 and is not commonly reported in babies. The U.S. CDC recommends immediately contacting a doctor if your child exhibits any of the symptoms of the inflammatory syndrome. We still do not know why some children experience symptoms, while others do not, and it is unclear if children with particular health conditions are more likely to get MIS-C. At this point, the best prevention measures include taking all precautions to avoid contracting the novel coronavirus, including hand washing, social distancing, avoiding public gatherings, and wearing masks.
The majority of young people infected have had relatively mild cases of COVID-19. However, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (U.S. CDC) recently identified the more severe multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) as a new syndrome associated with the virus that causes COVID-19. This inflammatory syndrome was first identified in April 2020 and is characterized by inflammation in different body parts, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs. While MIS-C is rare, it can be deadly. Symptoms in children include fever, abdominal (gut) pain, vomiting, diarrhea, neck pain, rash, bloodshot eyes, or fatigue. This is a newly identified condition that requires more research, but doctors have observed that symptoms can develop within four weeks of exposure to the novel coronavirus. The inflammation can be managed with medicines that can prevent damage to vital organs. MIS-C occurs in young people under 21, according to its case definition, although it is thought to mostly affect children between the ages of 2 to 15 and is not commonly reported in babies. The U.S. CDC recommends immediately contacting a doctor if your child exhibits any of the symptoms of the inflammatory syndrome. We still do not know why some children experience symptoms, while others do not, and it is unclear if children with particular health conditions are more likely to get MIS-C. At this point, the best prevention measures include taking all precautions to avoid contracting the novel coronavirus, including hand washing, social distancing, avoiding public gatherings, and wearing masks.
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What our experts say
The majority of young people infected have had relatively mild cases of COVID-19. However, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (U.S. CDC) recently identified the more severe multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) as a new syndrome associated with the virus that causes COVID-19. This inflammatory syndrome was first identified in April 2020 and is characterized by inflammation in different body parts, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs. While MIS-C is rare, it can be deadly. Symptoms in children include fever, abdominal (gut) pain, vomiting, diarrhea, neck pain, rash, bloodshot eyes, or fatigue. This is a newly identified condition that requires more research, but doctors have observed that symptoms can develop within four weeks of exposure to the novel coronavirus. The inflammation can be managed with medicines that can prevent damage to vital organs. MIS-C occurs in young people under 21, according to its case definition, although it is thought to mostly affect children between the ages of 2 to 15 and is not commonly reported in babies. The U.S. CDC recommends immediately contacting a doctor if your child exhibits any of the symptoms of the inflammatory syndrome. We still do not know why some children experience symptoms, while others do not, and it is unclear if children with particular health conditions are more likely to get MIS-C. At this point, the best prevention measures include taking all precautions to avoid contracting the novel coronavirus, including hand washing, social distancing, avoiding public gatherings, and wearing masks.
The majority of young people infected have had relatively mild cases of COVID-19. However, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (U.S. CDC) recently identified the more severe multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) as a new syndrome associated with the virus that causes COVID-19. This inflammatory syndrome was first identified in April 2020 and is characterized by inflammation in different body parts, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs. While MIS-C is rare, it can be deadly. Symptoms in children include fever, abdominal (gut) pain, vomiting, diarrhea, neck pain, rash, bloodshot eyes, or fatigue. This is a newly identified condition that requires more research, but doctors have observed that symptoms can develop within four weeks of exposure to the novel coronavirus. The inflammation can be managed with medicines that can prevent damage to vital organs. MIS-C occurs in young people under 21, according to its case definition, although it is thought to mostly affect children between the ages of 2 to 15 and is not commonly reported in babies. The U.S. CDC recommends immediately contacting a doctor if your child exhibits any of the symptoms of the inflammatory syndrome. We still do not know why some children experience symptoms, while others do not, and it is unclear if children with particular health conditions are more likely to get MIS-C. At this point, the best prevention measures include taking all precautions to avoid contracting the novel coronavirus, including hand washing, social distancing, avoiding public gatherings, and wearing masks.
Context and background
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC) warns that risks of severe COVID-19 illness tend to increase with age, with people over 85 being at highest risk for hospitalization, intensive care, ventilation, and potentially death. Tragically, the lives of young people, including children, have also been lost during the COVID-19 pandemic. More evidence is emerging on how some young patients develop severe symptoms and complications related to COVID-19. Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a serious and potentially fatal condition in young people, which can appear similar to Kawasaki's disease. In mid-May 2020, the U.S. CDC asked doctors across the country to look out for MIS-C cases. In June 2020, another two studies found over 300 children with MIS-C in the United States, which was reported widely in the media. Researchers around the world continue to study why some children are seriously affected by COVID-19 when the majority of young people have had relatively mild cases.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC) warns that risks of severe COVID-19 illness tend to increase with age, with people over 85 being at highest risk for hospitalization, intensive care, ventilation, and potentially death. Tragically, the lives of young people, including children, have also been lost during the COVID-19 pandemic. More evidence is emerging on how some young patients develop severe symptoms and complications related to COVID-19. Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a serious and potentially fatal condition in young people, which can appear similar to Kawasaki's disease. In mid-May 2020, the U.S. CDC asked doctors across the country to look out for MIS-C cases. In June 2020, another two studies found over 300 children with MIS-C in the United States, which was reported widely in the media. Researchers around the world continue to study why some children are seriously affected by COVID-19 when the majority of young people have had relatively mild cases.
Resources
- Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (U.S. CDC)
- For Parents: Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19 (U.S. CDC)
- MIS-C and COVID-19: Rare Inflammatory Syndrome in Kids and Teens (Hopkins Medicine)
- Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in U.S. Children and Adolescents (NEJM)
- Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children in New York State (NEJM)
- Researchers report nearly 300 cases of inflammatory syndrome tied to Covid-19 in kids (STAT News)
- Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (U.S. CDC)
- For Parents: Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19 (U.S. CDC)
- MIS-C and COVID-19: Rare Inflammatory Syndrome in Kids and Teens (Hopkins Medicine)
- Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in U.S. Children and Adolescents (NEJM)
- Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children in New York State (NEJM)
- Researchers report nearly 300 cases of inflammatory syndrome tied to Covid-19 in kids (STAT News)
