Document Type : Review

Authors

• Mojtaba Yousefi Zoshk ¹
• Melika Zamanian ²
• Melika Farshidianfar ³
• Alireza Masoumi ³
• Mohammad Mobin Mirimoghaddam ²
• Elahe Bakhshi ⁴
• Anoush Azarfar ⁵

¹ Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

² Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

³ MD, Faculty of Medicine, Islamic Azad University – Mashhad Branch, Mashhad, Iran.

⁴ Faculty of Pharmacy, Islamic Azad University – Damghan Branch, Damghan, Iran.

⁵ Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has afflicted individuals of all ages, which has a high rate of morbidity and fatality. Although most children with COVID-19 infection experience minor symptoms, a growing proportion of COVID-19 infections in children are linked to a novel multisystem inflammatory syndrome with Kawasaki disease-like clinical features. Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a novel hyperinflammatory syndrome that can impact about any organ system. The most frequent symptoms are fever and gastrointestinal disorders, although neurologic and dermatologic manifestations are also well-documented. The clinical symptoms of MIS-C coincide with those of Kawasaki disease, toxic shock syndrome, and shock syndrome, making diagnosis challenging. Elevated inflammatory markers are common in MIS-C patients, and an abnormal echocardiogram or electrocardiogram may be present. Intravenous immunoglobulin, anticoagulation, and corticosteroids should all be considered in the treatment of MIS-C patients. Even those with significant cardiovascular involvement, the majority of patients recover without complications. Echocardiographic follow-up is required as coronary aneurysms have been documented. This narrative review is to review the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentations, laboratory findings, diagnostic criteria, and treatment options for MIS-C patients in order to increase pediatricians’ knowledge of this novel syndrome.

Keywords

• Pediatrics
• MIS-C
• COVID-19