Case studies have demonstrated that multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is linked to COVID-19. MIS-C leads to heart damage in some children that requires lifelong interventions. The medical literature review was published September 4, 2020, in EClinicalMedicine, a journal of The Lancet.
MIS-C can manifest in asymptomatic children without warning three to four weeks post exposure with COVID-19. Alvaro Moreira, MD, MSc is an assistant professor of pediatrics in the University of Texas Health Science Center’s Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine.
"According to the literature, children did not need to exhibit the classic upper respiratory symptoms of COVID-19 to develop MIS-C, which is frightening," Dr. Moreira said. "Children might have no symptoms, no one knew they had the disease, and a few weeks later, they may develop this exaggerated inflammation in the body."
"This is a new childhood disease that is believed to be associated with SARS-CoV-2," Dr. Moreira continued. "It can be lethal because it affects multiple organ systems. Whether it be the heart and the lungs, the gastrointestinal system or the neurologic system, it has so many different faces that initially it was challenging for clinicians to understand."
Immunoglobulin and glucocorticosteroids have shown promise as therapeutic treatment options for MIS-C.