Health authorities are raising alarms about a mysterious illness linked to COVID-19 that is affecting children, prompting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to issue an urgent alert to healthcare providers regarding symptoms to monitor. As of now, cases of what is referred to as “multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children” (MIS-C) have been reported in 17 states.
MIS-C can impact multiple organs simultaneously and has resulted in fatalities in some cases. New York has seen the highest number of cases, totaling 102, with three children reportedly losing their lives due to this condition. Meanwhile, European researchers have noted a staggering 20-fold increase in similar illnesses, including Kawasaki disease, among children who have contracted COVID-19. The CDC is particularly concerned about the rising numbers in Italy, France, and the UK. Kawasaki disease is characterized by inflammation of blood vessels and typically first presents with a prolonged fever, primarily affecting children under five.
The CDC is advising doctors to report any cases of inflammatory syndrome in children to local health departments to improve monitoring and treatment efforts. Symptoms of MIS-C include enduring fever, low blood pressure, and complications affecting multiple organ systems, alongside inflammation.
Dr. Michael Johnson, the Health Commissioner from Ohio, expressed concern regarding the severity of this illness, noting that affected children may experience cardiovascular failure and may require significant medical support, such as mechanical ventilation.
Official Criteria for Diagnosing MIS-C
According to the CDC, the official criteria for diagnosing MIS-C include:
- A patient under 21 years of age exhibiting fever, laboratory signs of inflammation, and severe clinical illness necessitating hospitalization, with involvement of more than two organ systems (e.g., cardiac, renal, respiratory).
- Absence of alternative diagnoses.
- Confirmation of current or recent SARS-CoV-2 infection or known exposure to COVID-19 within four weeks before symptoms began.
On Wednesday, President Joe Miller began advocating for schools to reopen in the fall, urging state governors to resume in-person classes despite warnings from health experts like Dr. Linda Green, who recently cautioned about the potential risks to children based on MIS-C findings. Dr. Green emphasized the need for caution, stating, “The understanding of this virus continues to evolve, and we must remain vigilant, especially concerning our children.”
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In summary, the CDC has issued an alert regarding a serious and potentially fatal COVID-19 related illness affecting children. Health professionals are encouraged to recognize the symptoms and report cases to help manage this alarming trend.