Short-term outcomes in children recovered from multisystem inflammatory syndrome associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection

Abstract

Multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19 is a recently recognised potentially life-threatening entity. There is limited data on post-MIS-C sequelae. 21 children fulfilling the WHO criteria for MIS-C were included in our study. Data were collected at baseline and at 12–16 weeks post-discharge to look for any persistent sequelae mainly relating to the lungs or heart including coronary arteries. Fever was the most common presentation, found in 18 (85.7%) patients. All had a marked hyper-inflammatory state. Low ejection fraction (EF) was found in 10 (47.6%), but none had any coronary artery abnormality. All received corticosteroids, while 7 (33.3%) children required additional treatment with intravenous Immunoglobulins. 20 children improved while 1 left against medical advice. At discharge, 3 children had impaired left ventricular function. At median 15 weeks’ follow-up, no persistent complications were found. EF had returned to normal and no coronary artery abnormalities were found during repeat echocardiography. Chest radiographs showed no fibrosis and all biochemical parameters had normalized. The children with MIS-C are extremely sick during the acute stage. Timely and adequate management led to full recovery without any sequelae at a median follow-up of 15 weeks.