Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome in a Child Mimicking Kawasaki Disease

Abstract

There have been recent reports of children presenting with severe multi-system hyperinflammatory syndrome resembling Kawasaki disease (KD) during current COVID-19 pandemic. Exact pathophysiology is unknown, however, most of the children have multi-organ dysfunction and respiratory system involvement is less common compared to adults. These patients have certain characteristic laboratory parameters different from those seen in children with KD. However, only limited literature is available at present for identification and management of such patients. We report a young girl who presented with fever, rash and other manifestations mimicking classic KD and fulfilling the case definitions for pediatric multi-system inflammatory syndrome. She had lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia and hyponatremia in the absence of macrophage activation syndrome, similar to that seen in patients reported from UK and Italy. Clinical manifestations resolved and laboratory parameters improved with intravenous immunoglobulin and corticosteroids. Early recognition is important to administer immunomodulatory therapy which may be life saving for these patients.