Management of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children Associated with COVID-19 Infection

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Cardiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Immunology

Background:

• Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a serious condition linked to COVID-19.
• Cardiac complications are a significant concern in pediatric MIS-C cases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current knowledge on MIS-C in children related to COVID-19.
• To focus on the cardiac manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of MIS-C.

Main Methods:

• Literature review summarizing existing data on MIS-C.
• Description of diagnostic features, emphasizing cardiac involvement.
• Overview of therapeutic strategies, including immune-modulating agents.

Main Results:

• Cardiac involvement is common in MIS-C, including arrhythmias, heart failure, shock, and coronary artery dilation.
• Diagnosis of coronary involvement uses Z scores >2 for artery dimensions.
• Treatment involves supportive care and immunomodulatory therapies like IVIG, steroids, and cytokine blockers.

Conclusions:

• The prognosis for treated MIS-C patients is generally favorable.
• Further research is needed to fully understand cardiac involvement in acute COVID-19 and MIS-C.
• Defining optimal therapeutic targets for these pediatric conditions is crucial.