Profile of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (Mis-C) in Infants during the Second Wave of Sars- Cov-2 Pandemic: An Observational Crosssectional Study

ABSTRACT

Aims Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) secondary to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has affected not only the older children, adolescents and adults but also infants, more so during the second wave of the global pandemic. Thus, this study was done to describe the profile of infants presenting with multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS) with the aim to alert clinicians regarding the need for its early diagnosis and timely management in this vulnerable age group to prevent the morbidity, mortality and long term complications associated with MIS-C. Methods All sequentially admitted infants hospitalized during a period of 6months from,who fulfilled the WHO/CDC/RPCH criteria for MIS-C were included in the study. The data was recorded in a semi-structured pre-tested self-designed proforma regarding the demographic profile, presenting symptoms, clinical signs, laboratory parameters and treatment received. The data was analysed using appropriate statistical tools. Results A total of 19 infants were studied. Of these, 68.3% (13) had an evidence of recent COVID-19 infection. The median age of presentation was 2 months. The malefemale ratio was 1.11. The most common presenting symptoms were fever (68.4%), gastrointestinal complaints (63.1%) and edema (36.8%) (figure 1). Other predominant signs were shock (78.9%), myocarditis (52.6%) and neurological complaints (26.3%). Incomplete Kawasaki disease was present in 21% patients. Elevated CRP, ferritin, D-Dimer, NT pro BNP and reduced fibrinogen were markers of severe illness. All subjects received IVIG (100%), 31.5% received a second dose of IVIG and 63.1% received pulse intravenous methylprednisolone. (table 1) A total of 5(26.3%) died as a result of the disease process. Conclusion MIS-C in infants is usually under-diagnosed and under-reported due to the considerable overlap between sepsis and MIS-C especially due to the higher incidence of sepsis in developing countries. The spectrum of this illness can be varied and is different from the overt clinical signs seen in older children and adolescents. Thus, these investigations should be done early in the course for optimal therapy with immunomodulators and favourable outcome.. (Figure Presented).