Jun 15, 2020
Everything You Need to Know About Pediatric Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome
Flu Prevention.
Recently, a new syndrome in pediatric patients linked to COVID-19 has been seen in several U.S. states and in parts of Europe. There is much we don’t know about Pediatric Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome, but doctors are working to better understand it, so that they can treat patients and help them recover.
What is Pediatric Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome?
This inflammatory disease is similar in some ways to Kawasaki disease, but there are several differences. While it is unclear how the syndrome is related to COVID-19, doctors have discovered COVID-19 antibodies in patients with pediatric multi-system inflammatory syndrome, meaning that these patients were infected COVID-19 at some point.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms include:
- High fever, lasting longer than five days
- Fatigue
- Conjunctivitis
- Red, swollen tongue
- Rash
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Shortness of breath
- Shock
- Heart failure
The syndrome is mostly affecting school-aged children and teenagers, as well as some younger children. One of the most dangerous risks with pediatric multi-system inflammatory syndrome is inflammation of the muscle layer of the heart wall, which can lead to low blood pressure and shock. In a few cases, the disease has been fatal, but doctors have been able to successfully treat several cases.
What is the treatment?
Doctors have been treating pediatric multi-system inflammatory syndrome is three main ways:
- Cardiac medications and fluids for low blood pressure and shock
- Steroids for inflammation
- Remdesivir or convalescent plasma from recovered patients in cases where the patient needs treatment for COVID-19 in addition to pediatric multi-system inflammatory syndrome
Early treatment is important for pediatric multi-system inflammatory syndrome patients, so if you believe your child is ill and he or she is exhibiting the symptoms listed above, do not delay in bringing your child in for treatment.
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