Corona in children: a dangerous secondary disease after infection with the Covid-19 virus in children

The discovery of a new disease in children: In several European countries, children have had unusual symptoms weeks after infection with Corona. Responsible for this is the “Multiple System Inflammation Syndrome” (MIS-C), which has symptoms similar to “Kawasaki Syndrome”.

There is a possible link with Corona infection, said Reinhard Berner of the University of Dresden Hospital German News Agency. “It is quite possible,” he added.

Update from March 4, 2020: MIS-C primarily affects children of primary school age

At the start of the year, reports of MIS-C infection increased in Great Britain. The British news portal wrote: “Since the beginning of January, between 12 and 15 children have developed it every day.” Watchman On the fifth of February. This is likely a secondary disease of Covid-19, and is mainly observed in children of primary school age.

However, in most cases, symptoms appear only two to six weeks after infection with Covid-19 disease, as the scientific journal explains. BMJ. It is particularly typical High temperature, Lasts for at least 24 hours. Also hasty As well as prof conjunctivitis These are signs of “multiple systemic inflammatory syndrome” and should be examined by a doctor.

If MIS-C is suspected, laboratory testing is important to determine possible inflammation and organ dysfunction. Although secondary disease is relatively rare, the signs must be taken very seriously. If diagnosed, medical treatment “using intravenous immunoglobin and steroids can reduce inflammatory reactions and improve outcome,” he writes. BMJ.

Update from July 2, 2020: US studies have found a relationship between childhood illness and coronavirus infection

American researchers have studied the new disease that occurs in connection with Corona virus infection. Refers to MIS-C (Pediatric multi-system inflammatory syndrome).

In the professional world, it is sometimes called a disease PIMS (Children’s multiple inflammatory syndrome) or more PMIS (Pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome) bezeichnet.

In two studies conducted on Monday (29 June 2020) in New England Journal of Medicine It has been published, dScientists possess the medical records of nearly 300 Children and youth under the age of 21 That were treated between March and May in the United States. The common denominator between them: they all turned out to be infected with the Coronavirus or at least there was an urgent suspicion of infection.

MIS-C (PIMS / PMIS): These are symptoms of a new childhood illness

Study results at a glance:

• The syndrome has just started A few weeks after infection with the Coronavirus on: In one study there were 25 days between the outbreak and the peak of the epidemic, in the other over a period of a month.
• The most common symptoms are Digestive complaints Such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. 80 percent of MIS-C patients experienced this.
• All patients had Fever, Often for more than four or five days.
• 80 percent of those affected occurred Cardiovascular problems On the other hand, eight to nine percent of the children developed aneurysms of the arteries of the heart, which is a potentially dangerous expansion of the arteries.
• In 80 percent of the cases examined, treatment was performed in an intensive care unit, and 20 percent of patients were ventilated. The death rate It was two percent.
• Black children and children of Hispanic or Indian ancestry were more likely than white children.

to me Expression Be wAbout 1,000 cases of the syndrome have been recorded worldwide, Michael Levine of Imperial College London wrote in a commentary on the US studies. It was the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control until May 15 230 Flle in Europe mentioned. Therefore, there is one child each in France and Great Britain MIS-C Die.

The UK warned of the syndrome in children related to Sars-CoV-2 at the end of April, and the CDC also joined the warning in May, according to reports. Expression. New American studies confirm that there are similarities between MIS-C and Kawasaki. However, older children usually have MIS-C and inflammatory reactions are more severe. The cause of MIS-C has not yet been definitively clarified. This is thought to be an overreaction of the immune system.

Update from May 29, 2020: A new childhood disease discovered in Germany

In addition to “Kawasaki Syndrome,” another disease has now been discovered: in a children’s hospital in Lower Saxony, several cases of autoimmune diseases were detected for the first time since mid-April. The so-called “Pediatric Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (PIMS)” shows symptoms similar to “Kawasaki Syndrome”, for example a high temperature or a rash. That reports Everyday Mirror.

There are so far four confirmed cases of PIMS in Germany. The children ranged in age from three months to 13 years. The treatment went largely without any problems, so none of the children had to stay in the hospital for more than twelve days. Especially interesting: Coronavirus antibodies are found in all four children.

It is not clear if there has been any direct contact with the Coronavirus. By mid-May, 230 children worldwide had developed autoimmune diseases. Some of them have tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 pathogen.

An immune reaction to infection with the Corona virus?

Since the beginning of the Corona epidemic, three children with such severe injuries have been treated at the University Clinic in Geneva. On Thursday, a spokeswoman said that one child has recovered and been discharged from hospital, one in normal condition and the other in the intensive care unit. She could not know the age of the children.

According to the Swiss Corona Commissioner Daniel Koch, it is possible that it is an immune reaction to infection with the Corona virus. “The virus causes an inflammatory storm, and it is an overreaction of the immune system,” said Jacques Under Romand, a doctor at the canton of Geneva.

Cases have also been reported from Italy and Spain. In the United Kingdom, the National Health Service (NHS) alerted hospitals to about twenty children with severe illnesses. Many, but not all, people have tested positive for the new Sars-CoV-2 virus. The Minor Intensive Care Association (PICS) advised physicians to pay special attention to pediatric symptoms that resemble toxic shock.

Some children become very ill

The World Health Organization has already dealt with the problem, Covid-19 Commissioner Maria Van Kerkhove said Wednesday evening. “We know that children’s diseases are less dangerous, but some get serious illnesses and some die,” she said. “We have called our global network of physicians to be vigilant.”

The emergency relief coordinator at the World Health Organization, Michael Ryan, added: “This indicates that the virus not only attacks the lungs, but also other tissues.” However, Ryan reassured worried parents: “The vast majority of children with the virus have mild infections and make a full recovery.”

And Thomas Fischbach, president of the professional association of pediatricians, warned against panic. “There is no evidence of a link between Covid-19 and Kawasaki syndrome,” he told Neue Osnabrcker Zeitung. Kawasaki syndrome has been around for a long time and is very rare. No increase in disease has been observed since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

So far, no link has been proven between Kawasaki and Coronavirus

“Reports from other countries of children with a course similar to Kawasaki Syndrome at this point in time only show an acute inflammatory reaction that cannot be explained solely by coronavirus alone. The so-called incomplete Kawasaki syndrome is often spoken of,” explains Andr. Jakob, Head of Pediatric Cardiology Outpatient Department at Dr. Von Hanersch Children’s Hospital in Munich, opposite BR.
The norm is that babies who contract Covid-19 hardly have any symptoms.

To this day, doctors do not know what causes Kawasaki syndrome. It mostly affects young children.

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