Brief description:
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused widespread mortality and morbidity. Though children are largely spared from severe illness, a novel childhood hyperinflammatory syndrome presumed to be associated with and subsequent to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has emerged with potentially severe outcomes. Multisystem inflammatory disorder in children (MIS-C) most commonly affects young, school-aged children and is characterized by persistent fever, systemic hyperinflammation, and multisystem organ dysfunction. While uncommon and generally treatable, MIS-C presents potentially life-altering medical sequelae, complicated by a dearth of information regarding its etiology, pathophysiology, and long-term outcomes. The severity of MIS-C may warrant the need for increased awareness and continued COVID-19 mitigation efforts, particularly until potential factors conferring a predisposition to MIS-C can be clarified through additional research.
Results:
While seemingly rare and generally treatable, MIS-C is yet another challenge associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the existing knowledge gaps, it remains challenging to predict which children may be at higher risk for MIS-C and, moreover, which will have poor outcomes. Because current studies support the idea that SARS-CoV-2 may act as a trigger or immunomodulatory factor in MIS-C pathogenesis, mitigating the transmission of SARS- CoV-2 not only serves to prevent COVID-19 but also presents a likely effective strategy for MIS- C prevention until future research can elucidate the etiology, pathophysiology, and potential long- term consequences associated with this rare condition.
Impact:
The severity of MIS-C may warrant the need for increased awareness and continued COVID-19 mitigation efforts, particularly until potential factors conferring a predisposition to MIS-C can be clarified through additional research. Well informed guidelines will be critical as the school year progresses. Current knowledge on MIS-C is reviewed and the potential implications of this novel syndrome are discussed from a public health perspective.
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