Clinical and laboratory profile of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children: A cross-sectional study in a tertiary care hospital, Mysuru

Abstract

Background: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is considered to be a rare, yet serious complication of coronavirus disease 2019, where there is immune dysregulation related to past infection with the virus. It is an inflammatory syndrome affecting multiple systems with varied manifestations including gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, renal, hepatobiliary, and dermatological symptoms. Aim: Current study aimed to investigate the clinical and laboratory profile of MIS-C. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study of 40 hospitalized children who were diagnosed as MIS-C and studied over a 12-month period from June 2020 to May 2021 at Cheluvamba Hospital in a tertiary care center attached to Mysore Medical College and Research Institute Mysuru, Karnataka. Results: Out of the 40 children studied, all fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of MIS-C. The most common symptom was fever (100%), followed by gastrointestinal symptoms (90%). The next most common system involved in our study was cardiovascular system (52.5%). The most common laboratory findings included elevated inflammatory markers (100%). Furthermore, there was high incidence of hematological alterations, in the form of anemia (62.5%), thrombocytopenia (57.5%), and neutrophilia (27.5%). About 33.3% cases had echocardiography abnormalities. All patients received intravenous methylprednisolone and intravenous immunoglobulin. There were six deaths (15%) in our study and the remaining cases had good immediate outcome. Conclusion: Early recognition and prompt medical attention are necessary for a favorable outcome in MIS-C. However, there is scarcity of data regarding its long-term outcome.