Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 24, 2025

04:23
A Murine Model of Dengue Virus-induced Acute Viral Encephalitis-like Disease
Published on: April 28, 2019
6.7K
Comparison of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C) and Dengue in Hospitalized Children
Manjinder Singh Randhawa1, Suresh Kumar Angurana1, Karthi Nallasamy2
1Pediatric Emergency and Intensive Care Units, Department of Pediatrics, Advanced Pediatrics Center, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh 160012, India.
Indian Journal of Pediatrics
|May 5, 2022
Summary
Distinguishing Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) from dengue in febrile children is crucial. Mucocutaneous features and high CRP suggest MIS-C, while petechiae and hepatomegaly may indicate dengue.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) presents with overlapping symptoms to other febrile illnesses, complicating early diagnosis.
- Differentiating MIS-C from locally prevalent diseases like dengue is essential for timely and appropriate management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the clinical and laboratory profiles of children admitted with MIS-C and dengue.
- To identify key features that can help distinguish between MIS-C and dengue at the onset of illness.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study was conducted on children aged 12 years or younger admitted with either MIS-C (WHO definition) or laboratory-confirmed dengue.
- Data was collected from August 2020 to January 2021 at a tertiary care center in North India.
Main Results:
- Eighty-four children (40 MIS-C, 44 dengue) were analyzed. MIS-C cases more frequently exhibited rash, conjunctival injection, oral mucocutaneous changes, and gallop rhythm.
- Dengue cases were more associated with petechiae, myalgia, headache, and hepatomegaly. Significantly higher C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 levels were observed in MIS-C.
- Dengue patients showed higher hemoglobin, lower platelet counts, and greater elevation in aspartate and alanine aminotransferases. Hospital stay was longer for MIS-C, but PICU stay and mortality were comparable.
Conclusions:
- Mucocutaneous manifestations and significantly elevated C-reactive protein levels can help differentiate MIS-C from dengue in hospitalized children with acute febrile illness.
- The presence of petechiae, hepatomegaly, and hemoconcentration may suggest a diagnosis of dengue over MIS-C.

