Organ Involvement in Multisystem-Inflammatory Syndrome in Children Admitted to a Tertiary Hospital in Turkey

Abstract

Objective: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS- C) in children is a newly defined and serious health problem that develops after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our aim is to report epidemiological, clinical, laboratory and radiological features of children with MIS-C. Material and Methods: Forty patients who applied to our hospital from October 2020 to February 2021 and met the MIS-C criteria were included in the study. Patients with gastrointestinal involvement (GIS), cardiac involvement and Kawasaki Disease (KD)-like MIS-C were examined clinically and laboratory. Results: The mean age of the patients was 8.2 +/- 4.2 years and male patients were in the majority (70%). The most common symptoms were fever (100%) and fatigue (90%). Gastrointestinal symptoms were present in 71%, cardiac involvement in %40, Kawasaki-like patients in %52.5, shock symptoms in 59%. Elevated levels of C-reactive protein, D-dimer, and ferritin were found in 100%, 97.5%, and 67.5% of the patients, respectively. Patients with cardiac involvement had higher mean age and lower lymphocyte levels. Shock findings were higher in patients with KD-like MIS-C. Also, INR and ferritin levels were higher in KD-like MIS- C patients (p= 0.028). The mean platelet count (p= 0.004) and albumin levels were lower (p= 0.048) in shock group. Conclusion: MIS-C is a hyperinflammatory syndrome with cardiac, GIS, and lung involvement. Cardiac findings were not common in patients presenting with KD-like MIS-C, but a poor prognosis was observed in KD-like MIS-C patients. Patients with cardiac involvement were older and their lymphocyte count was lower.