J Korean Med Sci.  2021 Jan;36(2):e17. 10.3346/jkms.2021.36.e17.

The Importance of Early Recognition, Timely Management, and the Role of Healthcare Providers in Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children

• Lee JH
• Han HS
• Lee JK

• KMID: 2510590
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2021.36.e17

Abstract

In April 2020, a pediatric report of an unusual inflammatory illness associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) led to similar cases in Europe and North America, which was referred to as multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). Herein, we describe the case of a 12-year-old boy who had a history of polymerase chain reactionconfirmed COVID-19 and developed MIS-C approximately three weeks after an initial diagnosis of COVID-19. High fever with abdominal pain mimicking appendicitis was the initial manifestation of MIS-C, which could have been easily missed if the patient's history of COVID-19 was ignored. Intravenous immunoglobulin was administered twice, 24 hours apart, five days after the onset of MIS-C, and the patient fully recovered without any obvious sequelae. Early recognition by disease awareness and prompt management are the keys to saving the lives of children affected by MIS-C.

Keyword

COVID-19; Kawasaki Disease; Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children; SARS-CoV-2

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Abdominal computed tomography. The largest lymph node is marked with red arrows.

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  Fig. 2 Timeline from the diagnosis of COVID-19 to the complete treatment of MIS-C.COVID-19 = coronavirus disease 2019, MIS-C = multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, OPD = outpatient department, HD = hospital day, IVIG = intravenous immunoglobulin.

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