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Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome with Features of Atypical Kawasaki Disease during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Reza Shahriarirad1,2, Anahita Sanaei Dashti3, Shabnam Hajiani Ghotbabadi4,5
1Thoracic and Vascular Surgery Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Science, Shiraz, Iran.
Insights
Kawasaki disease (KD) can present atypically, mimicking multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Early diagnosis and treatment of KD are vital for preventing complications, especially during global health crises.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric rheumatology
- Infectious disease epidemiology
- Public health emergencies
Background:
- Kawasaki disease (KD) is a common pediatric vasculitis with unknown etiology.
- Atypical KD presentations can mimic other inflammatory syndromes, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Reporting atypical cases aids understanding and management of KD.
Observation:
- A 7-year-old girl presented with fever, rash, and elevated inflammatory markers, simulating MIS.
- The patient did not meet full KD diagnostic criteria.
- Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin and aspirin was initiated.
Findings:
- The patient's symptoms resolved following treatment.
- This case highlights the overlap between atypical KD and MIS-C during the pandemic.
- Successful management was achieved despite atypical presentation.
Implications:
- Early diagnosis and treatment of KD are crucial for preventing end-organ damage.
- Management strategies for atypical KD are essential during public health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Recognizing KD mimics like MIS-C improves patient outcomes.
Background:
Although Kawasaki disease (KD) is the most common self-limited systemic vasculitis in pediatrics, the exact etiology of the disease, its association with other diseases, and pathogens is still unknown. In order to achieve a better understanding and management of the disease, documentation and reporting of atypical cases is justified, particularly with the growing number of children with inflammatory syndrome with clinical features simulating KD during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, we present a case of an atypical case of KD presenting as multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Case Presentation. The patient is a 7-year-old girl who developed fever (39°C) and erythematous multiform rash on the abdomen and along with erythema and edema on the extremities. Laboratory evaluation revealed neutrophilia and lymphopenia along with elevated C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, troponin, lactate dehydrogenase, ferritin, and D-dimer. Although the patient did not fulfill the KD criteria, based on approved guidelines and approaches regarding atypical KD and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) during the COVID-19 pandemic, intravenous immunoglobulin along with aspirin was administered for the patients. The patient's symptoms resolved with an uneventful postdischarge course.
Conclusion:
Early diagnosis and treatment of patients meeting full or partial criteria for KD are critical to preventing end-organ damage and other long-term complications, especially during times of public crisis and global health emergencies, such as the novel coronavirus pandemic.
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