Up until recently, parents and physicians were heartened to hear that the COVID-19 virus was sparing children with most kids having mild, moderate or asymptomatic symptoms.
Although this is still true, news media have recently reported that some children in Europe and North America are developing a serious multi-system inflammatory condition as a complication of COVID-19 infection that can damage the heart and other organs.
These news reports followed after The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) made a connection between COVID-19 and the Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C).
The syndrome appears to develop two to six weeks after infection with Covid-19 and affects mostly children who were perfectly healthy beforehand.
Symptoms of Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C)
According to an article by CNN, symptoms do not look like the classic symptoms of COVID-19 and may mostly include stomach pain and vomiting, along with fever and perhaps a rash.
MIS-C has been compared to another rare childhood condition, Kawasaki Disease, because it shares some of the same symptoms. But we now know this is a different illness.
Other common symptoms include:
Irritability or decreased activity
Abdominal pain without another explanation
Diarrhoea
Conjunctivitis (red or pink eyes)
Poor feeding
Red, cracked lips or red, bumpy tongue that looks like a strawberry
Swollen hands and feet, which might also be red
Vomiting
Rash
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “It is not yet clear the full spectrum of disease, and whether the geographical distribution in Europe and North America reflects a true pattern, or if the condition has simply not been recognised elsewhere”.
Nonetheless, parents are reassured that most children are not affected by the coronavirus, and reports of children who become seriously ill remain rare and unusual cases.
“Even though this is rare, and we don’t want parents to become alarmed, it’s wise for them to know what to watch for,”said Roshni Mathew, MD, clinical assistant professor of infectious disease at Stanford Children’s Health.
Is there a treatment for MIS-C?
Currently, children with MIS-C are being treated with different therapies, including medications targeted at the body’s immune system and inflammatory response. Children may receive other medications to protect their heart, kidneys and other organs.
How can I prevent my child from getting MIS-C?
You should take steps to prevent your child from being exposed to COVID-19. Face coverings, hand hygiene and physical distancing are the best ways to prevent COVID-19. Children with underlying medical conditions can be at higher risk for poor outcomes of COVID-19, making prevention measures even more important.
If you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above, please call your paediatrician immediately for advice on next steps.
With a background of empowering women through talkshows on all thing Womanhood, it was natural for Lily to start empowering women on one of the biggest role they carry (a mother) after having one of her own. As a millennial mum with 2 young boys herself, she understands what new parents are going through and seeks to empower, inspire and ease parents on their biggest adventure yet- Parenthood!
