MIS-C Research Articles

Assessing the Response of Biomarkers to Anti-Inflammatory Medications in PIMS-TS by Longitudinal Multilevel Modeling: Real-World Data from a UK Tertiary Center.

Background: Pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporarily associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection (PIMS-TS) is an acute complication of previous SARS-CoV-2 exposure. The relationship between inflammatory markers and anti-inflammatory medication in PIMS-TS is unknown. We retrospectively investigated the relationship between demographics, biomarkers, treatment, and length of stay (LOS) in this novel disease. Methods: We reviewed the case notes and blood tests of all patients who met the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health diagnostic criteria for PIMS-TS at a large tertiary center in the United Kingdom. Biomarker trajectories were modeled using log linear mixed effects, and factors affecting LOS in hospital were evaluated using multiple regression. Results: Between March 2020 and May 2022, a total of 56 patients attended Sheffield Children's Hospital with PIMS-TS, 70% male. Mean age was 7.4 ± 3.7 years and mean LOS 8.7 ± 4.5 days with 50% requiring intensive care and 20% requiring inotropes. Older males had shorter LOS than younger males (P = 0.04), not seen in females. Treatment included intravenous glucocorticoids in 93%, intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) in 77%, Anakinra in 11%, and infliximab in 1.8%. Biomarkers correlated poorly with trajectories that peaked at different times. C-reactive protein peaked first after median 1.3 days postadmission; while LFT's and neutrophils peaked after 3 days. Age had a large effect on some biomarkers, with older children having larger troponin and ferritin, and lower lymphocytes and platelets. Cumulative dose of glucocorticoids and IVIG had a statistically significant effect on some biomarkers, but effect size was small. Conclusions: The heterogenous nature of PIMS-TS highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach. Worse inflammatory markers in older children within our cohort may be an indication of a different disease process occurring at different ages. Future work to investigate the association between age and troponin and ferritin in hyperinflammatory states is warranted.

Hospital admissions linked to SARS-CoV-2 infection in children and adolescents: cohort study of 3.2 million first ascertained infections in England

ObjectiveTo describe hospital admissions associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in children and adolescents.DesignCohort study of 3.2 million first ascertained SARS-CoV-2 infections using electronic health care record data.SettingEngland, July 2020 to February...

Pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome associated with COVID-19: Insights in pathogenesis and clinical management.

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has been a major challenge to be faced in recent years. While adults suffered the highest morbidity and mortality rates of coronavirus disease 2019, children were thought to be exclusively asymptomatic or to present with mild conditions. However, around April 2020, there was an outbreak of a new clinical syndrome related to SARS-CoV-2 in children - multisystemic inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) - which comprises a severe and uncon-trolled hyperinflammatory response with multiorgan involvement. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers a suspected case of MIS-C an individual aged < 21 years presenting with fever, high inflammatory markers levels, and evidence of clinically severe illness, with multisystem (> 2) organ involvement, no alternative plausible diagnoses, and positive for recent SARS-CoV-2 infection. Despite its severity, there are no definitive disease management guidelines for this condition. Conversely, the complex pathogenesis of MIS-C is still not completely understood, although it seems to rely upon immune dysregulation. Hence, in this study, we aim to bring together current evidence regarding the pathogenic mechanisms of MIS-C, clinical picture and management, in order to provide insights for clinical practice and implications for future research directions.

The acute abdomen in children

Because 8-10% of children in the emergency room present with acute abdominal pain, asystematic work-up is essential to rule out acute abdomen. This article highlights the etiology, symptoms, diagnostic workup, and treatment of acute abdomen in children. Review of the current literature. Abdominal inflammation, ischemia, bowel and ureteral obstruction, or abdominal bleeding are causes of acute abdomen. Extra-abdominal diseases such as otitis media in toddlers or testicular torsion in adolescent boys can also lead to symptoms of acute abdomen. Abdominal pain, (bilious) vomiting, abdominal guarding, constipation, blood-tinged stools, abdominal bruise marks, and poor condition of the patient with symptoms such as tachycardia, tachypnea, and hypotonia up to shock are leading symptoms of acute abdomen. In some cases, emergent abdominal surgery is needed to treat the cause of the acute abdomen. However, in patients with pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporarily associated with SARS-CoV‑2 infection (PIMS-TS), anew disease causing an acute abdomen, surgical treatment is rarely needed. Acute abdomen can lead to nonreversible loss of an abdominal organ, such as bowel or ovary, or develop into acute deterioration of the patient's condition up to the state of shock. Therefore, acomplete history and thorough physical examination are needed to timely diagnose acute abdomen and initiate specific therapy.

Paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome in Canada: population-based surveillance and role of SARS-CoV-2 linkage.

Paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome (PIMS) is a rare condition temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Using national surveillance data, we compare presenting features and outcomes among children hospitalized with PIMS by SARS-CoV-2 linkage, and identify risk factors for intensive care (ICU). Cases were reported to the Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program by a network of >2800 pediatricians between March 2020 and May 2021. Patients with positive versus negative SARS-CoV-2 linkages were compared, with positive linkage defined as any positive molecular or serologic test or close contact with confirmed COVID-19. ICU risk factors were identified with multivariable modified Poisson regression. We identified 406 children hospitalized with PIMS, including 49.8% with positive SARS-CoV-2 linkages, 26.1% with negative linkages, and 24.1% with unknown linkages. The median age was 5.4 years (IQR 2.5-9.8), 60% were male, and 83% had no comorbidities. Compared to cases with negative linkages, children with positive linkages experienced more cardiac involvement (58.8% vs. 37.4%; p < 0.001), gastrointestinal symptoms (88.6% vs. 63.2%; p < 0.001), and shock (60.9% vs. 16.0%; p < 0.001). Children aged ≥6 years and those with positive linkages were more likely to require ICU. Although rare, 30% of PIMS hospitalizations required ICU or respiratory/hemodynamic support, particularly those with positive SARS-CoV-2 linkages. We describe 406 children hospitalized with paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome (PIMS) using nationwide surveillance data, the largest study of PIMS in Canada to date. Our surveillance case definition of PIMS did not require a history of SARS-CoV-2 exposure, and we therefore describe associations of SARS-CoV-2 linkages on clinical features and outcomes of children with PIMS. Children with positive SARS-CoV-2 linkages were older, had more gastrointestinal and cardiac involvement, and hyperinflammatory laboratory picture. Although PIMS is rare, one-third required admission to intensive care, with the greatest risk amongst those aged ≥6 years and those with a SARS-CoV-2 linkage.

System spectrum analysis and six-month outcome of patients with paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporarily associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 at a tertiary hospital in eastern India

Background: Whilst there are plenty of studies on patients with paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporarily associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (PIMS-TS), there is a scarcity of studies worldwide regarding follow up of these patients. Objectives: To assess the clinical, laboratory and imaging data and outcome of patients with PIMS-TS in the 6-month follow-up. Method: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in the Department of Paediatrics, Vivekananda Institute of Medical Sciences,Ramakrishna Mission, Seva Pratisthan, Kolkata, India on all children under 12 years of age admitted from 1st March to 31st August 2021 with World Health Organisation criteria of PIMS-TS. Main outcome measures: Clinical features of different systems, routine laboratory investigations, liver and renal function tests, acute phase reactants, cardiac markers like NT-proBNP, urine analysis, echocardiogram, ultrasonography of abdomen and magnetic resonance imaging of brain. Results: Twenty-one patients (13 male, 8 female) were included in this study. Median age of presentation was 3 years; 3 patients had pre-existing comorbidities; all patients had elevated inflammatory markers at baseline; 14 patients had significant findings on echocardiography on admission; all patients were discharged in stable condition. At the 6-month follow-up, 2 patients had raised C-reactive protein; significant dilatation of coronary artery persisted in 2 patients; gastrointestinal symptoms, respiratory symptoms, cutaneous manifestations and neurological features resolved in all patients. Conclusions: Though many patients had very serious presentations, most of them were completely free clinically, laboratory-wise and imaging-wise by 6 months. Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health, 2023: 52(2): 195-201

COVID-19 vaccination in children and adolescents

The COVID-19 pandemic posed special challenges for the existing structures for vaccination prevention in Germany with respect to 1) understanding the role and aims of those involved and the interests of the children and 2) the definition of adequate criteria and assessment of the risk of severe diseases in children. Do the priorities of different groups of interest differ in the recommendations for COVID-19 vaccination? Which data on the pathogenicity of different variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV‑2) are necessary and how did they change during the pandemic? The tasks, objectives and perception of politics and the German national vaccination advisory committee regarding vaccination of children are discussed in the face of summarized recent data on clinical manifestations of pediatric SARS-CoV‑2 infections among children and adolescents in Germany, which could be estimated by combining different German data sources. The perspectives of politics and children differ but are legitimate when they are clearly stated. The decisive risk for a severe course or the pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with SARS-CoV‑2 (PIMS-TS) per 10,000 SARS-CoV‑2 infections for the decision on vaccination from the perspective of children, decreased during the course of the pandemic with dominance of the omicron variant. Severe courses of COVID-19 still predominantly affect children with underlying diseases. The age-stratified analysis of vaccinated and nonvaccinated children showed that the alterations in the pathogenicity of the virus in the course of the pandemic is particularly reflected in the reduction in the risk of PIMS-TS. The general reduction of severe courses of COVID-19 again can be explained by the characteristics of variants of concern (VOC) as well as increasing vaccination rates and immunity following a SARS-CoV‑2 infection. The primary goal of COVID-19 vaccination in children and adolescents is the prevention of severe courses of the disease. In pediatric risk groups the best possible immunity or immune protection by vaccination should be strived for. It is currently unclear whether catch-up vaccination in already infected or vaccinated children or whether forthcoming healthy children will need vaccination, aiming for hybrid immunity.

Clinical profile, cardiac involvement and outcome of children admitted with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in PICU at GB Pant children hospital Srinagar

Background: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a severe hyper inflammatory post infectious complication of acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, which typically occurs 2-6 weeks after exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Aim was to determine the clinical profile, cardiac involvement and outcome of children admitted with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in pediatric intensive care unit. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in pediatric intensive care unit over period of two years. After informed consent from parents, all those patients meeting inclusion criteria were subjected to complete history, general and systemic physical examination. Routine baseline investigations included CBC, LFT, KFT, ABG, serum calcium and phosphorous, and other investigations like echocardiography, COVID-19 RAT and RTPCR and various inflammatory markers like serum ferritin, pro-calcitonin, CRP and ESR whenever required were done. Results: In our study out of 77 MIS-C patients 40 were males and 37 were females with a male female ratio of 1.1:1. The mean average age was 7.4 years. Out of them 47 (61%) patients had a history of COVID-19 infection/contact with positive COVID-19 cases 3 to 4 weeks before presentation. In our study gastrointestinal, respiratory, and cardiac systems were mostly involved. Rash and conjunctival congestion was seen in 81% of MIS-C patients. On echocardiography out of 77 MIS-C patients, 15 (19.5%) had pericardial effusion, 25 (32.5%) had coronary artery dilatations and 32 patients (41.5%) had left ventricular systolic dysfunction with LVEF &lt;55%. Conclusions: Pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome is a serious and life-threatening illnesses having a significant impact on morbidity and mortality.

Long-term humoral signatures following acute pediatric COVID-19 and Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children.

Although most children experience mild symptoms during acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, some develop the severe post-COVID-19 complication, Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C). While acute presentations of COVID-19 and MIS-C have been well immunophenotyped, little is known about the lasting immune profile in children after acute illness. Children 2 months-20 years of age presenting with either acute COVID-19 (n = 9) or MIS-C (n = 12) were enrolled in a Pediatric COVID-19 Biorepository at a single medical center. We deeply profiled humoral immune responses and circulating cytokines following pediatric COVID-19 and MIS-C. Twenty-one children and young adults provided blood samples at both acute presentation and 6-month follow-up (mean: 6.5 months; standard deviation: 1.77 months). Pro-inflammatory cytokine elevations resolved after both acute COVID-19 and MIS-C. Humoral profiles continue to mature after acute COVID-19, displaying decreasing IgM and increasing IgG over time, as well as stronger effector functions, including antibody-dependent monocyte activation. In contrast, MIS-C immune signatures, especially anti-Spike IgG1, diminished over time. Here, we show the mature immune signature after pediatric COVID-19 and MIS-C, displaying resolving inflammation with recalibration of the humoral responses. These humoral profiles highlight immune activation and vulnerabilities over time in these pediatric post-infectious cohorts. The pediatric immune profile matures after both COVID-19 and MIS-C, suggesting a diversified anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody response after resolution of acute illness. While pro-inflammatory cytokine responses resolve in the months following acute infection in both conditions, antibody-activated responses remain relatively heightened in convalescent COVID-19. These data may inform long-term immunoprotection from reinfection in children with past SARS-CoV-2 infections or MIS-C.

COVID‐19: The disease, the vaccine and the heart

Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has fundamentally affected the health, healthcare delivery and daily life in all populations and age groups in Australia. The aim of this report is to summarise how it has affected the paediatric population with an emphasis on, but not limited to, the cardiac manifestations. A literature review and appraisal of data relating to SARS-CoV-2 cardiac manifestations and vaccination in the paediatric population was undertaken.The majority of children with SARS-CoV-2 infection recover well. However, a very small proportion may develop severe acute disease. In the sub-acute phase, children may also develop a Kawasaki like illness, Paediatric Inflammatory Multisystem Syndrome temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2. Whilst not directly cardiac in nature, SARS-CoV-2 also affected children in other profound ways. Public health measures with widespread lockdowns appeared to disproportionately affect the paediatric population causing physical deconditioning and psychological harm. Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 has proven to be safe and effective, but the small rate of complications did disproportionately affect teenage children with risks of myocarditis and pericarditis. The long term outcomes following myocarditis related to SARS-Cov-2 vaccination are yet to be clarified. When treating children in the era of SARS-CoV-2, Paediatricians need to be well aware of the risks of infection in the acute and sub-acute phases, have a good understanding of the well-established recommendations for vaccination, and also be cognisant of psychological impacts.

Case report: Pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2 with severe myocardial dysfunction. Is there any hope in immunotherapy?

Pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2 (PIMS-TS) develops in a small percentage of children after COVID-19, however, it might cause severe myocardial dysfunction. The pathogenesis of this disease includes systemic hyper-inflammation with cytokine storm. This case report concerns a 12-year-old boy with PIMS-TS who presented severe respiratory and circulatory failure with increased inflammatory markers and significant reduction of left ventricle ejaculatory fraction (LVEF) from 65% to 35%. The recommended therapy with the use of vasopressors, corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulins and mechanical ventilation was introduced and his condition gradually improved. However, after few days, aggravation of cardiac symptoms occurred again and among other treatment, the therapy with the use of anakinra - the human interleukin 1 receptor antagonist protein was introduced. This case highlights a satisfactory regression of cardiac disturbances and generally favorable outcome of the treatment in patients with PIMS-TS with the use of immunomodulatory therapy.

Characterising approaches to steroid therapy in paediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2.

We describe approaches to steroid therapy use in paediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2 (PIMS-TS) and examine the association between steroid therapy and key clinical markers of severity. We conducted a retrospective review of children (<18 years) admitted to a tertiary paediatric hospital in the UK with PIMS-TS. We collected data on if and why steroid therapy was used; the duration, type and dosing of steroids prescribed; and approaches to hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis monitoring, if performed. We examined associations between steroid exposure/total steroid dose (mg/m2 /day) and paediatric intensive care unit admission, mechanical ventilation and inotropic support. Steroid therapy was commenced in most children (84.9%, n = 104) with a median total daily steroid dose (hydrocortisone equivalent) of 271.0 mg/m2 /day (interquartile range 232.5-355.5) and treatment length of 26.0 days (interquartile range 19.0-32.0). Dosing regimens predominantly involved a short course of high-dose methylprednisolone followed by tapering oral prednisolone. Basal and/or dynamic testing of the HPA axis was conducted in a minority (11.8%, n = 15) and was normal. Duration of steroid therapy correlated positively with durations of paediatric intensive care unit admission (r = 0.407, P < 0.001) and mechanical ventilation (r = 0.797, P < 0.001). A greater proportion of children receiving steroid therapy also received inotropic support compared to those that did not receive steroid therapy (71.4% vs. 45.5%, P = 0.025). Prolonged, high-dose steroid therapy is often used in the management of severe PIMS-TS with the potential for HPA axis suppression and should be withdrawn carefully.

COVID-19 and Cardiac Implications-Still a Mystery in Clinical Practice.

Although initially the evolution of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) seemed less severe in pediatric patients, in the three years since the beginning of the pandemics, several severe cases have been described, pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome (PIMS) has been defined, pathogenesis is being continuously studied, and many aspects regarding the long-term evolution and multi-organ damage are still unexplained. Cardiac injuries in COVID-19 represent most-likely the second cause of mortality associated with the infection. A wide-spectrum of cardiac abnormalities were reported to be associated with COVID-19 in children including ventricular dysfunction, acute myocardial dysfunction, arrhythmias, conduction abnormalities, coronary artery dilation or aneurysms, and less common pericarditis and valvulitis. Risk factors for severe COVID-19 in children should be identified, laboratory tests and imaging techniques should be performed to reveal cardiac injury as soon as possible. The aim of this review was to highlight the great value of repeated cardiological monitoring in patients with COVID-19, underlining also the peculiarities in terms of pediatric population. This review is looking for answers on questions like 'Why do some, but not all, patients with COVID-19 develop cardiac injury or severe hyperinflammatory status?', 'Which factors are involved in triggering COVID-19 associated cardiac injury?', 'What are the mechanisms involved in the etiology of cardiac injury?', 'Is there a clear relationship between hyperinflammation and cardiac injury?', 'Is hyperinflammatory status the pre-stage of cardiac injury in COVID-19 patients?' which still lack clear answers. The understanding of mechanisms involved in the development of COVID-19 associated cardiac injury might shed light on all the above-mentioned mysteries and might increase the likelihood of favorable evolution even in severe cases.

Epidemiological Profile and Management of Kawasaki Syndrome at Rabat Children’s Hospital: A retrospective study from Morocco

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a common pediatric vasculitis with a risk of coronary artery aneurysm. In this report, we review some particularities of KD disease, especially coronary involvement, and highlight its aspects during the COVID-19 epidemic which saw the emergence of a syndrome named multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). Because of its many similarities with KD, MIS-C is often referred to as Kawasaki-like disease (KLD) or pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2 (PIMS-TS).We report on a retrospective study on the different epidemiological, clinical, and evolutionary aspects of KD and the coronary involvement resulting from this disease before and after the pandemic. The study is based on the echocardiography records of the P4 Department at Rabat Children’s Hospital, from January 2002 to December 2021. A total of 379 patients were diagnosed with KD during that period. This includes 47 cases that were reported during the first year of the COVID-19 epidemic in Morocco (March 2020). Echocardiography results for our series show that cardiac complications wererelatively more frequent among KD patients during the COVID-19 period, perhaps because they were relatively older (67 months on average) than classic KD patients (37 months on average). However, all patients had a favorable outcome after treatment with a combination of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and aspirin. The few patients who did not respond to standard treatment received corticosteroids, and no mortality occurred. We conclude that as far as cardiac complications,KD, KLD, and MIS-C are the same core disease that is triggered under different conditions for different age groups.The emergence of the Sars-Cov-2 virus changed the epidemiologic profile of KD but not its treatment. Insights from this study would help in the decision to initiate targeted immunotherapy quickly and reduce the risk factors associated with KD.

Observation of severe pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome associated with COVID-19

One of the rare manifestations of COVID-19 is pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome, most often in publications it is found out how pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome in children (РIMS). The progression of the inflammatory response in РIMS may be a consequence of the development of secondary hemophagocytic syndrome, a significant part of which is refractory fever, an increase in ferritin, AST and ALT, cytopenia, an increase in interleukin 6, severe hepatic and neurological dysfunction. The case with this group of representatives of other multiple organ failure manifestations in the detection of acute distress syndrome and acute heart failure, in the detection of the development of myocarditis.&#x0D; A feature of the described clinical detection is the dynamic observation of a severe pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome associated with COVID-19, complicated by myocarditis with acute heart failure, left ventricular dysfunction and secondary hemophagocytic syndrome, in an 11-year-old girl with underlying obesity. The child is taking triple therapy with glucocorticosteroids in combination with intravenous immunoglobulin and cyclosporine A, with an expected effect on the ongoing treatment. Possible features of observation are noted: 1) a very early start of РIMS during the acute phase of СOVID-19; 2) transient dyslipidemia at the onset of РIMS with an increase in cholesterol, mainly due to the low-density lipoprotein fraction, and spontaneous regression without lipid-lowering drugs; 3) MRI signs of myocarditis in a month after the onset of the disease, despite the normalization of echocardiography and pro-BNP.

COVID-19 mRNA BNT162b2 vaccine immunogenicity among children with a history of paediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome temporally associated with COVID-19 (PIMS-TS)

We conducted a prospective cohort study of 20 patients with a history of paediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome temporally associated with COVID-19 (PIMS group, median age seven years, 70% male) and 34 healthy controls without such a history (CONTROL group, median age eight years, 38% male) aged 5–12 years, to assess the immunogenicity of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 mRNA BNT162b2 vaccine (Comirnaty®). Patients received two doses of COVID-19 mRNA BNT162b2 vaccine (10 ug/dose) 21 days apart. Pre-vaccine anti-S SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies were measured on the day of the first dose and at the median of 23 days after the second dose. The study was conducted during the COVID-19 wave dominated by the Omicron variant of the virus. Anti-NCP SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies were measured twice to evaluate incidents of infection during the study period. Pre-vaccine quantification of both types of antibodies allowed us to differentiate patients into COVID-19 naive and previously infected in order to compare hybrid immunity with vaccine-induced immunity.Before vaccination, anti-S IgG serum geometric mean concentration (GMC) was 61.17 BAU/ml in the PIMS group and 24.97 in the CONTROL group, while post-vaccination GMC was 3879.14 BAU/ml and 3704.87 BAU/ml, respectively, and did not significantly differ between the groups. Hybrid immunity (regardless of PIMS history) resulted in a higher concentration of SARS-CoV-2 anti-S antibodies after vaccination. Four (20%) of the children in the PIMS group and 11 (32%) in the CONTROL group got infected with SARS-CoV-2 during the study period, yet all of them asymptomatically, and this event has not significantly altered post-vaccination anti-S titers.In conclusion, COVID-19 vaccination was highly immunogenic in children, including those with a history of PIMS-TS; hybrid immunity overperforms vaccine-induced immunity in terms of serological response in children. However, vaccination effectiveness in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infections in children should be further evaluated.

Role of Lung Ultrasonography (LUS) as a Tool for Evaluating Children with Pediatric Inflammatory Multisystem Syndrome Temporally Associated with SARS-CoV-2 (PIMS-TS).

Pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2 (PIMS-TS) is a novel entity. The inflammatory process involves the circulatory, digestive, respiratory, and central nervous systems, as well as the skin. Making a diagnosis requires extensive differential diagnoses, including lung imaging. The aim of our study was to retrospectively assess the pathologies found in lung ultrasound (LUS) in children diagnosed with PIMS-TS and to evaluate the usefulness of the examination in diagnostics and monitoring. The study group consisted of 43 children diagnosed with PIMS-TS, in whom LUS was performed at least three times, including on admission to hospital, on discharge, and 3 months after disease onset. Pneumonia (mild to severe) was diagnosed in 91% of the patients based on the ultrasound image; the same number had at least one pathology, including consolidations, atelectasis, pleural effusion, and interstitial or interstitial-alveolar syndrome. By the time of discharge, the inflammatory changes had completely regressed in 19% of the children and partially in 81%. After 3 months, no pathologies were detected in the entire study group. LUS is a useful tool for diagnosing and monitoring children with PIMS-TS. Inflammatory lesions of the lungs resolve completely when the generalized inflammatory process subsides.

Neurological Complications in MIS-C: Case Report

COVID-19 has seriously affected children and the whole world. Pediatric multi-system inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C), a new syndrome that has not been known before, has been described. Although MIS-C may progress with different clinical manifestations in children, neurological involvement is reported relatively rarely. A 12-year-old girl with cerebral palsy and motor mental retardation was admitted to the emergency department with complaints of cough, fever, mouth sores and malnutrition. As a result of the evaluation, the patient was hospitalized to investigate the etiology of the fever and empirical antibiotic treatment was started, and she developed a rash on the 3rd day and tonic-clonic convulsions on the 5th day. The patient was hospitalized in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), and COVID-19 IgG and IgM were positive. Cerebral imaging of the patient was reported as normal. The patient with fever, rash, convulsions lasting longer than five days, and compatible laboratory results were diagnosed with MIS-C. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and methylprednisolone treatments were started, and the patient was discharged on the 14th day of hospitalization, whose condition improved. This case is presented as an example of the rare neurological involvement of MIS-C. Detailed clinical investigation and neurological examination are required to exclude neurological sequelae of COVID-19 during the pandemic. The development of general guidelines that can combine them would be instructive.

An interesting manifestation of COVID-19 in children: case report and review on multisystem inflammatory syndrome in pediatric patients

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19 or PIMS-TS (pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection) has been presenting itself in children in connection to the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Along with a brief review of global data on MIS-C, we present two case reports of critically ill pediatric patients (aged 16 and 14 years), presenting with features of MIS-C from May 2020 to March 2021, to a tertiary-care hospital in Telangana, India. The patients with MIS-C were healthy prior to testing positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Clinical presentations were similar, with fever, abdominal pain, gastrointestinal complaints, or maculopapular rash. The diagnostic parameters revealed elevated levels of C-reactive protein, D-dimer, and NtProBNP. Other infectious aetiologies were ruled out. Both patients required ionotropic support, and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), and were also given empiric antibiotics. Both were hemodynamically stable upon discharge. As knowledge of the various COVID-19 manifestations in children increases, reporting is essential to better-educating healthcare professionals in clarifying and streamlining the variety of symptoms connected to MIS-C and assessing the associated risk factors that predispose the pediatric population to develop severe disease.

PIMS - symptoms and short/long-term gastrointestinal and cardiovascular system complications

PIMS (paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome associated with COVID-19 or Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C)) is a new disease classification, occurring in children and young adults associated with the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Although children suffer from COVID-19 infection asymptomatically or mildly, long-term complications of the disease may be more severe for them than for adults. Despite the fact that PIMS is a relatively new disease, we already know that it should not be underestimated. In spite of the clinical picture of these complications may resemble Kawasaki Disease (KD), we may notice some differences in laboratory tests (such as reduced number of lymphocytes, decreased platelet count or elevated ferritin levels). Although usually the first symptom of PIMS is high fever, it is followed by symptoms related to the digestive system, present in about 80% of cases. The insidious and severe gastrointestinal symptoms of PIMS can mimic abdominal surgical emergencies, including acute appendicitis, gastrointestinal infections or inflammatory bowel disease. Cardiovascular symptoms occur in approximately 60% of patients with PIMS. Immunomodulatory therapy plays an essential role in the treatment of PIMS. The exact causes of PIMS are recently unknown, however, it is explained as genetic hyperactivation of immunity. In this minireview we summarize the most recent data about this condition, mainly we are focusing on gastrointestinal and cardiovascular symptoms, short/long-term complications and treatment.