Giant Coronary Aneurysm in an Infant with Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Cardiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Immunology

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has led to the emergence of MIS-C in children.
• While typically mild, COVID-19 can trigger severe inflammatory responses in pediatric patients.

Observation:

• A 6-month-old infant presented with fever, rash, and signs of viral illness.
• Initial echocardiogram was normal, but subsequent scans revealed progressive coronary artery dilatation.
• The infant developed left coronary artery thrombosis and myocardial infarction.

Findings:

• The infant had strongly positive SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers, confirming COVID-19 infection.
• This case highlights MIS-C's potential for severe cardiovascular complications in infants.
• Timely intervention was initiated, but thrombosis and myocardial infarction occurred.

Implications:

• Management strategies for MIS-C with coronary artery involvement require careful consideration.
• The long-term prognosis for coronary artery aneurysms secondary to MIS-C is uncertain, necessitating close patient monitoring.
• Further research is essential to elucidate the pathophysiology and optimize treatment for MIS-C.