Severe Bacterial Infection Initially Misdiagnosed as MIS-C: Caution Needed

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Infectious Diseases
• Cardiology

Background:

• The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has introduced unique challenges in clinical diagnosis.
• Cognitive biases, such as confirmation bias, may influence medical professionals' decision-making during this era.

Observation:

• A case is presented where a life-threatening bacterial infection was initially misdiagnosed.
• The misdiagnosis occurred in the context of suspected multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C).

Findings:

• Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) with myocardial dysfunction is a recognized complication of COVID-19.
• This case underscores the critical importance of a comprehensive differential diagnosis process.

Implications:

• Infectious etiologies must be rigorously considered, even when symptoms overlap with COVID-19 complications like MIS-C.
• Accurate and timely diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment and patient outcomes in pediatric critical care.