Important: How MIS-C Syndrome Affects Children Post COVID-19

New Delhi- Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a rare but dangerous medical condition that is linked with COVID-19 infections. Children who go on to develop this condition experience inflammation in their organs as tissues such as the heart, lungs, blood vessels, kidneys, digestive system, brain, skin, or eyes. 

A case of an 11-year-old child diagnosed with MIS-C syndrome undergoing treatment in the SRCC hospital showed that he had been infected with the COVID-19 virus four weeks prior to being admitted to the hospital. While the test reports conducted earlier were consistently showing him to be negative, it was found out that he was asymptomatic, therefore his COVID-induced condition was left undetected, unnoticed and untreated. Before being brought to the hospital, the child showed classical symptoms of the MIS-C syndrome such as high fever, swelling of the neck, bloodshot eyes, rashes all over the body, and gastrointestinal conditions like diarrhea and vomiting. Read more

This is considered as a syndrome and not a disease because it is still a subject of medical inquiry as very little research has been done to ascertain the cause and risk factors associated with it. 

Though the exact cause for this syndrome has not been concluded yet, it appears that it is the result of an excessive immune response related to COVID-19.

This syndrome, common amongst children, can also develop in adults with signs and symptoms similar to MIS-C, called MIS-A (Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults). 

Most children with MIS-C are between the ages of 3 and 12 years old, with an average age of 8 years old. Some cases have also occurred in older children and in babies.

This deadly syndrome occurs few weeks after the children get affected by the novel coronavirus, though in some cases it was seen that they develop this condition immediately after contracting the virus. Many children with MIS-C have a positive antibody test result. This means they've had a recent COVID-19 infection. Some may have the syndrome while being COVID-19 infected at the same time. Read more

Due to widespread ignorance about this medical condition, it becomes impossible for people to identify the symptoms. Below are the red flags which should be considered as potential symptoms and the children displaying these symptoms should be immediately taken to the medical facilities for treatment. 

1. Fever that lasts 24 hours or longer

2. Vomiting

3. Diarrhea

4. Pain in the stomach

5. Skin rash

6. Feeling unusually tired

7. Fast heartbeat

8. Rapid breathing

9. Red eyes

10. Redness or swelling of the lips and tongue

11. Redness or swelling of the hands or feet

12. Headache, dizziness, or lightheadedness

13. Enlarged lymph nodes

14. Difficulty breathing

15. Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds — depending on skin tone

16. Inability to wake up or stay awake

If your child has any of the warning signs listed above — or is severely sick with other signs and symptoms — get care immediately. 

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