COVID-19 and Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children

Abstract

Abstract Setting: A literature review was undertaken to provide an overview of the evidence of COVID-19 in the paediatric population with special interest in the South African situation. Key Messages: Children of all ages are susceptible to COVID-19, yet they largely have asymptomatic or mild forms of the disease. Despite most cases not being severe, clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for COVID-19 infection in children and monitor for progression of illness, particularly among infants and children with underlying conditions, who may have more severe disease. The serious and life-threatening presentation of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children is important to recognise, but outcomes are good if referral to an appropriate setting is undertaken and management initiated early. Conclusions: While the disease itself mostly spares children, measures taken to curb the spread of the virus may have detrimental effects on children, particularly in low-and-middle-income settings. More research is needed into the long-term outcomes of COVID-19 in children.