Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 13, 2026
Comparing Objective Conjunctival Hyperemia Grading and the Ocular Surface Disease Index Score in Dry Eye Syndrome During COVID-19
Published on: May 25, 2022
Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) post-COVID-19 in Iran: clinical profile, cardiac features, and
Ali Hoseininasab1, Reza Sinaei2,3, Mohammad Mehdi Bagheri4
1Research Center of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Insights
Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19 often involves cardiac issues like pericardial effusion. Early diagnosis and treatment with glucocorticosteroids can lead to improvement in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- An association between multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and SARS-CoV-2 infection was noted in April 2020.
- Cardiac involvement, particularly pericardial effusion, was a common finding in affected children.
- This study focuses on cardiac manifestations in pediatric COVID-19 patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight and analyze cardiac involvement in pediatric patients diagnosed with COVID-19.
- To investigate the prevalence and nature of cardiac complications in children with SARS-CoV-2.
Main Methods:
- A study was conducted in Kerman province, Iran, during a SARS-CoV-2 surge in July 2021.
- Included 904 pediatric patients diagnosed with COVID-19, with data on clinical symptoms.
- Echocardiography was performed on 47 patients to assess cardiac involvement.
Main Results:
- Of 904 patients, 74% had high fevers; 55 were hospitalized for prolonged fever.
- Echocardiography revealed heart involvement in 81% (45/47) of patients.
- Pericardial effusion was the sole cardiac finding in 75% of these patients and was treated with dexamethasone.
Conclusions:
- MIS-C presents with diverse clinical symptoms, often requiring clinical suspicion for diagnosis, especially with prolonged fever and gastrointestinal issues.
- Pericardial effusion is a frequent complication of MIS-C in children.
- Treatment with glucocorticosteroids, such as dexamethasone, is effective for pericardial effusion associated with MIS-C.
Background:
In April 2020, an association between multisystem inflammatory syndromes (MIS-C) was observed in children with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus infection (SARS-CoV-2). Most patients had heart involvement alone, and most patients had pericardial effusion. This study aimed to express and emphasize cardiac involvement in pediatric patients with respiratory symptoms who were diagnosed with COVID-19.
Methods:
This study was conducted in July 2021 in Kerman province, Southeastern Iran, during a notable surge in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections. The study included 904 pediatric patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Data collection involved a comprehensive assessment of clinical symptoms and manifestations. Patients with fever lasting more than five days were admitted to the hospital. Echocardiography was utilized for cardiac involvement diagnosis, with 47 patients undergoing this diagnostic procedure.
Results:
Of the 904 patients, most of them had high fevers (74%). Fifty-five patients had a fever for more than five days and were hospitalized. Of the 47 patients who underwent echocardiography, 45 (81%) had heart involvement. In 75% of patients, pericardial effusion was the only cardiac involvement. Patients with pericardial effusion were treated with dexamethasone up to 3 mg every 8 h for 72 h.
Conclusions:
MIS-C has a wide range of clinical symptoms. In cases where the fever is prolonged and there are gastrointestinal symptoms, physicians have clinical suspicion to diagnose this syndrome. Most cases of pericardial effusion are alone and improve with treatment with glucocorticosteroids.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis
01:21Myocarditis I: Introduction
01:27Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
01:14Myocarditis III: Medical Management
01:22Myocarditis IV: Nursing Management
01:19Pericarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests