ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND AIM: Outcome of the novel COVID-19 related disease "Multisystemic Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C)" is still largely unknown. We aimed to assess physical, psychosocial, and neurocognitive functioning in MIS-C survivors after PICU admission. METHOD(S): A national prospective cohort study including MIS-C children (0-17 years) admitted to one of the 7 PICUs in The Netherlands. Children were tested 3-6 months after PICU admission in a multidisciplinary follow-up program through a semi-structured interview, validated questionnaires for psychosocial outcomes, in both children and their parents, and validated neurocognitive tests in children. RESULT(S): Between March 2020 and June 2021, 49 MIS-C children attended follow-up after median 4 months (IQR 3-5) at median age 11.6 years (IQR 9.3-15.6). At follow-up, PCPC and POPC scores were normal in all children, 21 (43%) children reported impaired exercise intolerance and 20% worsening sleeping behaviour. Physical and school functioning quality of life scores were worse compared with norm data. General intelligence and verbal memory scores were comparable to norm data (N=44), whereas visual memory, sustained attention, and planning were significantly lower in a subgroup of 29 patients. Parents reported less posttraumatic stress and depressive symptoms compared with norms. CONCLUSION(S): After PICU admission, exercise intolerance, sleeping, physical and school functioning problems were reported. Overall intelligence and neurocognitive scores were normal, with subtle deviants in some neurocognitive functions indicating integration and sustained attention problems. This yields for a longer-term follow-up to assess MIS-C survivors functioning.