Combined presentation of severe pulmonary COVID-19 and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C): two reported Egyptian pediatric cases

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Initial reports from the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic described children as being less susceptible to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) than adults. Later on, a severe and novel pediatric disorder termed multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) emerged. Pediatric patients with SARS-CoV-2 are at risk for critical illness with severe pulmonary COVID-19 and MIS-C. Both are described as two distinct conditions, and the differentiation between them was the scope of many studies. In this report from Egypt, we will describe two unique pediatric cases presented by combined manifestations of severe pulmonary COVID-19 and MIS-C. CASE PRESENTATION: Two patients presented with severe pulmonary COVID-19 evident by pulmonary symptoms, signs, and advanced CO-RADS stage in lung CT were simultaneously fulfilling the clinical criteria of MIS-C including fever, multi-system affection, increased inflammatory markers in addition to the proved COVID-19 by positive serologic tests for SARS-CoV-2 but PCR was negative. Both patients responded well to immune-modulation therapy by IVIG and steroids and discharged well under closed follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Although it is debatable to present simultaneously, MIS-C should be considered in patients presenting with typical clinical findings and concerns for pulmonary COVID-19 once the criteria for MIS-C diagnosis is fulfilled. Starting treatment without delay can favor better prognosis.