Macrophage Activation Syndrome in MIS-C

Luisa Berenise Gámez-González1, Chiharu Murata2, Jimena García-Silva3

  • 1Department of Immunology, Hospital Infantil Especialidades de Chihuahua, Faculty of Medicine and Biological Sciences of the Autonomous University of Chihuahua, Chihuahua, México.

Pediatrics
|November 14, 2024
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) complicates Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in children (MIS-C), increasing mortality. Early recognition and treatment are vital for better outcomes in MIS-C patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric rheumatology
  • Infectious diseases
  • Critical care medicine

Background:

  • Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in children (MIS-C) presents diagnostic challenges due to overlapping symptoms with other severe pediatric conditions.
  • Macrophage Activation Syndrome (MAS) is a severe, often fatal, complication of pediatric inflammatory disorders, increasingly reported in MIS-C.
  • Timely diagnosis and immunomodulatory therapy are critical for managing MAS effectively.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the frequency, clinical course, diagnostic markers, treatment, and outcomes of MAS in MIS-C patients.
  • To compare clinical and laboratory features between MIS-C patients with and without MAS.
  • To identify predictors of mortality in MIS-C patients with MAS.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective study across 84 Latin American centers involving 1238 MIS-C patients.
  • MAS diagnosis was based on established criteria.
  • Comparative analysis of clinical and laboratory data between MIS-C patients with and without MAS.

Main Results:

  • 17.1% of MIS-C patients met MAS criteria.
  • Gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms were more common in MIS-C with MAS.
  • MIS-C with MAS had a 12% mortality rate, associated with seizures, arthritis, and shock.
  • A ferritin or ESR ratio >18.7 showed 88.2% sensitivity and 75% specificity for MAS diagnosis.

Conclusions:

  • MAS significantly increases morbidity and mortality in MIS-C patients.
  • This study represents the largest Latin American cohort analyzing MAS in MIS-C.
  • Prompt recognition and management are essential to improve survival rates in MIS-C patients with MAS.