Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children - United States, February 2020-July 2021

Abstract

Background: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a severe hyperinflammatory condition in persons aged<21 years associated with antecedent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Our objective was to describe MIS-C cases reported to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) national surveillance since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic began. Methods: We included patients meeting the MIS-C case definition with onset date from 19 February 2020 through 31 July 2021, using CDC's MIS-C case report form, which collects information on demographics, clinical presentation, and laboratory results. Trends over time across 3 MIS-C pandemic waves were assessed using Cochran-Armitage test for categorical and Jonckheere-Terpstra test for continuous variables. Results: Of 4901 reported cases, 4470 met inclusion criteria. Median patient age increased over time (P