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Coronavirus keeps throwing new twists into what we should expect. For kids who get COVID, this now means there is a risk, albeit rare, of acquiring pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C). This is a serious condition where different parts of the body become inflamed, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, and gastrointestinal organs.
It's a serious condition that isn't always easily diagnosed based on early symptoms. Learn how your child can get it, the symptoms, and how it's treated.
What is multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C)?
Pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome usually affects school-age children, mainly those who are 8 and 9-years old. But it affects a wide age group; doctors have seen patients as young as infants with the syndrome and those as old as young adults. Multisystem inflammatory syndrome is a complication from the Coronavirus.
MIS-C is often found four to six weeks after a child has contracted COVID. Though scary, this condition can be treated with most children having a full recovery. It’s important to recognize and treat the condition early to prevent long-lasting organ damage, particularly damage of the heart. This means that parents must be very keen on any changes in a child's health.
Because some children are asymptomatic with COVID, paying attention to the symptoms is imperative to treating the condition effectively. Many of the features of MIS-C look a lot like other conditions including toxic shock syndrome or Kawasaki disease. If your child starts feeling ill, you’ll want to look out for specific symptoms. Beware that early symptoms can mimic the flu, so parents must be vigilant in getting their children medical attention as soon as possible.
Multisystem inflammatory syndrome symptoms
Initially, children will have symptoms that mimic the flu that include fever, diarrhea, and vomiting. Outside of normal flu symptoms, they will also have rashes and red eyes. These symptoms persist and worsen over a period of days. As a parent, you may not be able to tell that your child’s organs are swelling. This is why you need to take your child to the doctor immediately to diagnose exactly what is wrong with them. Doctors will determine their COVID history and may even perform an antibody test if the child was never tested for COVID.
Children report feeling unusually weak with MIS-C and find themselves getting dizzy with normal activities. They will also seem overly sleepy and get confused easily. Along with the diarrhea and vomiting, kids report abdominal pain that gets worse over time. Lymph nodes may become enlarged and there may be redness or swelling of the lips and tongue.
The condition results in swelling of the child’s internal organs. This includes the heart, lungs, kidneys, and brain. The skin and eyes may also become swollen. Doctors will address the swelling with antiinflammatory medication.
Multisystem inflammatory syndrome treatment
Before doctors can treat pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome, they have to properly diagnose it. This involves running a battery of tests that include blood tests, a chest x-ray, a heart ultrasound, and an abdominal ultrasound. This is to determine if and where there is internal swelling.
If your child exhibits internal swelling, doctors will treat this by starting them on medications. This is combined with supportive care for symptoms such as vomitting and diahrrea. Some children can be treated at home but most will remain in the hospital until they are better. The worst cases send children to the pediatric intensive care unit (ICU). Most cases last up to two weeks.
How to prevent multisystem inflammatory syndrome
“Based on what we currently know about MIS-C, the best approach to safeguard your kids is to take routine precautions to keep the COVID-19 causing virus from infecting your child or the entire family,” Dr. Shauna Hatcher explained to Mom.com.
You can reduce your chances of getting COVID by getting all eligible family members vaccinated. Make sure that you continue to practice social distancing, wear a mask, and wash your hands regularly. Disinfect high-touch surfaces regularly and launder clothes in the warmest water possible for the fabric.
Parents must be vigilant to keep their kids healthy from COVID and all it’s related complications. “I’m so paranoid that my child will get COVID that I really haven’t let up on any of the COVID practices," Mom Brie Carpenter told Mom.com. "She’s four and not able to be vaccinated. We are vaccinated and we all wear a mask. It’s not just COVID that I have to worry about. It’s all these complications that can happen that is also scary,”
The good news is that MIS-C is rare and is treatable as long as parents get the right medical attention for their children. As COVID evolves and mutates, we must continue to be vigilant in our COVID pandemic practices.
