A new study sheds more light on the effect of Covid-19 infection among children.
The current issue of the Lancet carries a study of 10 Italian children diagnosed with a Kawasaki-like syndrome, recently reclassified by the World Health Organization as Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome—Children (MIS-C). The study compares the Covid-19 related syndrome to that observed for 19 children with Kawasaki Syndrome in the same hospital over the past five years.
Here are some of the take-home messages about MIS-C compared to previous, non-Covid-19 related Kawasaki cases:
1. MIS-C is a consequence of infection with SARS-CoV-2.
2. The average of children with MIS-C is 8 years old as compared to 3 three years old for Kawasaki. The WHO definition of children includes all those between 0-20 years old.
3. MIS-C is more serious that Kawasaki Syndrome and frequently involves damage to the heart and lungs.
4. The disease is effectively treated with a combination of intravenous gamma globulin and high dose methylprednisone (10 of 10 positive responses). Methyl prednisone is usually not needed for the treatment of non Covid-19 related Kawasaki.
What does this mean for parents? Here are the take home messages for those caring for young kids:
1. MIS-C is a rare life-threatening disease for your child. It can be treated but you must take your child to the hospital immediately at the first signs of the disease.
