More than 300 children with post-COVID-19 multisystem inflammatory syndrome

On April 19, according to information from the Department of Health of Ho Chi Minh City, a quick report from pediatric hospitals in the city, in the period from June 2021 to March 2022, 315 children were recorded. diagnosed MIS-C (Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children) or suspected MIS-C in a total of 71,076 children after being infected with COVID-19, accounting for 0.4%.

All children responded well to treatment, with no deaths.

In which, the most common age group is children under 5 years old (149 cases, accounting for 47.3%), children from 5 to 12 years old (145 cases, accounting for 46%) and finally children over 12 years old (21 years old) cases, accounting for 6.7%).

MIS-C syndrome is an inflammation of various organs including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes or digestive system organs in children with a history of COVID-19 before.

This is a new syndrome, first confirmed in April 2020 in the US and UK. MIS-C syndrome is an uncommon medical condition, as in the US, the rate of MIS-C in children after COVID-19 is about 0.6%, that is, 1,000 children after COVID-19 have about 6 children with MIS-C syndrome.

This syndrome usually occurs about 2 to 6 weeks after infection with SARS-CoV-2, but can occur earlier or later than this time.

Children with this syndrome often have symptoms such as persistent high fever, red eyes, red lips, skin rash, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, and digestive symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

Severe complications of MIS-C in children often involve the cardiovascular system, including coronary artery inflammation and decreased contractile function of the myocardium. Particularly complications of coronary artery disease, if not treated promptly, can leave long-term sequelae on the cardiovascular system such as coronary artery dilation, myocardial ischemia.

The Department of Health of Ho Chi Minh City recommends that children suspected of having MIS-C syndrome should be monitored and treated at specialized pediatric hospitals; MIS-C treatment includes drugs that suppress, modulate the immune system (such as corticosteroids, intravenous Imunoglobuline – IVIG..), vasopressors in severe cases, and other supportive drugs. Some critical cases require circulatory support in the intensive care unit.

Children after stable treatment of MIS-C who are discharged from the hospital still need to be monitored and periodically re-examined every month for at least 3-6 months thereafter or re-examined as soon as they have other severe symptoms to follow up. monitor possible complications on the cardiovascular system.

With proper diagnosis and prompt treatment, most cases of MIS-C syndrome will have a good response. MIS-C is a severe and dangerous syndrome that can occur in children with a relatively low incidence of COVID-19 (0.4%).

The best way to prevent children from developing MIS-C syndrome is to have all eligible children 5 years of age and older vaccinated. vaccines COVID-19 prevention. At the same time, it is necessary to continue to take measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 such as regularly washing hands, avoiding close contact with sick people, wearing masks when going to public places, areas with high transmission potential. even when fully vaccinated.