You may be hearing a lot in the news about Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children, or MIS-C, and parents have many concerns.
It's a condition where parts of the body can become inflamed, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes and gastrointestinal organs. While clinicians do not yet know what causes it, they do now that many children with it had COVID-19, or had been around someone with COVID-19. Some cases have been fatal.
Typically, MIS-C symptoms are fever, severe abdominal pain, unusual rashes, swollen lips and red eyes. It can also include diarrhea, vomiting, neck pain and extreme exhaustion. Dr. Bates points out that many things that cause rashes and fevers in children; but, in these cases, the children usually look very ill, and parents should recognize these differences in their child.
What Should Parents Do?
If your child is showing these symptoms within a few weeks of a COVID-19 diagnosis or even with possible exposure, contact your child's physician. If your primary care physician is not available, seek an Urgent Care or Emergency Room for evaluation.
Should Parents Be Worried?
Dr. Bates says it's a very rare syndrome, even in areas that have reported multiple cases. And, the good news is that most children recover completely with appropriate care.
How Can We Protect Children?
Parents should talk to their children about the importance of wearing masks, washing hands and using hand sanitizer.
For more information about this condition, as well as how to best talk to your children about COVID-19, visit HealthyChildren.org.