Coronavirus: Covid-19 symptoms among kids being linked to Pediatric Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome

When the coronavirus pandemic started, experts claimed that kids seemed safe from the virus. However, things soon began to change with many kids not only getting affected but also succumbing to the virus. Some of the concerns that kept cropping up were about kids being asymptomatic carriers and how those who showed symptoms were varied in nature (not the usual cough or nagging throat). Scientists who have been studying samples say that many kids show non respiratory symptoms as the first manifestation of the disease.


In the latest development, as many as 52 children in NYC reported pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome. This is a serious health condition which is being linked to coronavirus and is unsettling for most healthcare workers.

So what exactly is pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome (PMIS)? The condition looks very similar to Kawasaki disease and Toxic Shock Syndrome.

Kawasaki disease (or syndrome) is among rare childhood conditions that impacts children below the age of 5 years, as per CDC. It causes inflammatory responses in the artery walls and can impact blood flow to the heart. Some of the more common symptoms are high grade fever, rash, swelling in hands, feet, neck glands, cracked lips, and red eyes.

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is another extremely serious and fatal condition, which occurs by a toxin released by certain types of staphylococcus bacteria. Symptoms include diarrhea, headaches, brain fog, high fever, low BP, aches, nausea, red eyes, seizures, and organ failure.

A spokesperson for American Academy of Pediatrics alerted parents and said, “If you child has prolonged fever of 5 or more days, looks really sick, is facing trouble breathing, is not able to eat, or reports of severe pain, seek immediate medical care.” This is being linked to a child’s immune system’s response to the coronavirus.

It should be noted that not all children who had PMIS tested positive for coronavirus, but it is believed that PMIS in most kids was a consequence of COVID-19 infection. However, it still is a hypothesis and deeper studies are underway to clearly analyse the impact and cause.


Caution

As seen in confirmed cases, this syndrome is behaving similar to Kawasaki disease in a manner that it can lead to problems in the heart and the blood vessels. It can lead to heart attack in children and can be fatal too.