ABSTRACT
In this survey study of institutions across the US, marked variability in evaluation, treatment, and follow-up of adolescents 12 through 18 years of age with mRNA coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine-associated myopericarditis was noted. Only one adolescent with life-threatening complications was reported, with no deaths at any of the participating institutions.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Myocarditis , Adolescent , COVID-19/prevention & control , COVID-19 Vaccines/adverse effects , Humans , Myocarditis/epidemiology , Myocarditis/etiology , RNA, MessengerABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To characterize the clinical course and outcomes of children 12-18 years of age who developed probable myopericarditis after vaccination with the Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2) coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study of 25 children, aged 12-18 years, diagnosed with probable myopericarditis after COVID-19 mRNA vaccination as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for myopericarditis at 8 US centers between May 10, 2021, and June 20, 2021. We retrospectively collected the following data: demographics, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus detection or serologic testing, clinical manifestations, laboratory test results, imaging study results, treatment, and time to resolutions of symptoms. RESULTS: Most (88%) cases followed the second dose of vaccine, and chest pain (100%) was the most common presenting symptom. Patients came to medical attention a median of 2 days (range, <1-20 days) after receipt of Pfizer mRNA COVID-19 vaccination. All adolescents had an elevated plasma troponin concentration. Echocardiographic abnormalities were infrequent, and 92% showed normal cardiac function at presentation. However, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, obtained in 16 patients (64%), revealed that 15 (94%) had late gadolinium enhancement consistent with myopericarditis. Most were treated with ibuprofen or an equivalent nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug for symptomatic relief. One patient was given a corticosteroid orally after the initial administration of ibuprofen or an nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug; 2 patients also received intravenous immune globulin. Symptom resolution was observed within 7 days in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that symptoms owing to myopericarditis after the mRNA COVID-19 vaccination tend to be mild and transient. Approximately two-thirds of patients underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, which revealed evidence of myocardial inflammation despite a lack of echocardiographic abnormalities.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 Vaccines/genetics , COVID-19/prevention & control , Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine/methods , Myocarditis/etiology , SARS-CoV-2/immunology , Vaccination/adverse effects , Vaccines, Synthetic/adverse effects , Adolescent , COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19/genetics , COVID-19 Vaccines/adverse effects , Child , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Incidence , Male , Myocarditis/diagnosis , Myocarditis/epidemiology , Pandemics , Retrospective Studies , United States/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Thromboembolic phenomena, particularly pulmonary emboli, have been described in adult patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, but have been less evident in children. We describe a case of a teenager with bilateral pulmonary emboli leading to cardiovascular collapse in the setting of a positive SARS-CoV-2 IgM antibody.