Six-month multidisciplinary follow-up in multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children: An Italian single-center...

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Infectious Diseases
• Immunology
• Cardiology

Background:

• Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a severe condition linked to SARS-CoV-2 infection.
• Long-term complications and the role of persistent inflammation in MIS-C require further investigation.
• Understanding the trajectory of organ impairment post-MIS-C is crucial for pediatric health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate multiorgan impairment at a 6-month follow-up in pediatric patients diagnosed with MIS-C.
• To identify patient features and disease severity at admission that correlate with long-term complications.
• To assess the resolution of initial symptoms and the emergence of persistent dysfunction.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 33 pediatric patients hospitalized for MIS-C was monitored for approximately six months.
• Multivariate analysis was employed to study the relationship between initial patient characteristics, disease severity, and long-term complications.
• Clinical data and follow-up assessments were used to track organ system function.

Main Results:

• While most initial MIS-C manifestations resolved within weeks, persistent endocrine issues (non-thyroidal illness syndrome, insulin resistance) and neurological difficulties (cognitive, psychological, behavioral) were observed at 6 months.
• Endocrine and cardiac involvement at admission were significant predictors of long-term sequelae.
• No association was found between the initial severity score and long-term outcomes.

Conclusions:

• MIS-C appears to be predominantly an immune-mediated condition, though direct viral damage cannot be ruled out.
• Most organ systems show recovery, suggesting MIS-C may not pose a significant long-term health risk for children.
• Longer follow-up studies are necessary to definitively confirm the long-term prognosis and rule out delayed complications.