Children were believed to be at a lower risk than most when it comes to the effects of COVID-19, but that no longer seems to be the case. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a health alert to medical professionals on Thursday, May 14, warning them about a rare but potentially harmful and deadly condition linked to the coronavirus that is now affecting kids.
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The CDC is now referring to the illness as a "multisystem inflammatory syndrome," or MIS-C. So far, it has been reported in at least 19 states and other countries, affecting hundreds of children in heavily affected areas like New York City.
The CDC is asking for cases to be reported.
Doctors from countries around the world who have treated cases have compared the symptoms to toxic shock syndrome or Kawasaki disease, with symptoms including severe inflammation of the coronary arteries. "It is currently unknown if multisystem inflammatory syndrome is specific to children or if it also occurs in adults. There is limited information currently available about risk factors, pathogenesis, clinical course, and treatment for MIS-C. The "CDC is requesting healthcare providers report suspected cases to public health authorities to better characterize this newly recognized condition in the pediatric population," the CDC shared in its statement. "Healthcare providers who have cared or are caring for patients younger than 21 years of age meeting MIS-C criteria should report suspected cases to their local, state, or territorial health department."
More cases in children are being reported.
The CDC's health alert also provides guidance for how physicians should diagnose MIS-C. The criteria includes a fever of at least 100.4 degrees that lasts for at least 24 hours, inflammation in the body, and hospitalization with problems in at least two organs, like the heart, the kidneys, or the lungs. The patient must also have some evidence of the coronavirus in their systems, either through a COVID-19 test or an antibodies test or if they came in contact with someone with the virus.
Doctors are sharing some of the symptoms to look out for.
Experts are warning hospitals, health workers, and parents of the symptoms they should look out for in children that they have been seeing in cases around the world. Dr. Moshe Arditi, a pediatric infectious diseases expert at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, said that some of the possible symptoms include a recurring fever, inflammation and poor function in organs such as the kidneys or heart, red eyes, a bright red tongue, and cracked lips, which are seen as evidence of blood vessel inflammation. There were some cases that included "severe abdominal involvement with diarrhea."
Life will also change for our kids.
"We don't believe this syndrome is very common, but several cases have been reported elsewhere in association with COVID-19," Dr. Paul Cieslak, medical director for infectious diseases and immunizations at the Oregon Health Authority Public Health Division, told CNN. "This syndrome appears to be an uncommon but serious complication of COVID-19 in children." While there is no telling if the illness is specific to children or if it also occurs in adults, health professionals want doctors and parents to be aware, especially in cities that have become epicenters. The reports say that most children are not seriously affected and won't require treatment in the intensive care unit, but there have been deaths related to the illness. Parents need to continue social distancing with their children, making sure their hands are washed and they are wearing proper masks whenever going outside.
