COVID-19 -Associated vasculitis in children: The case series, confirmed by tissue RT-PCR

ABSTRACT

Background: COVID-19 is still changing problem for pediatric rheumatologist, not only related with multisystem inflammatory syndrome. SARS-CoV- 2 can damage blood vessel endothelium through direct invasion, immune system dysregulation (hyperproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines, interferonopathy) and hypercoagulation, and in this way triggers vasculitis. There are some data in the literature about skin vasculitis, central nervous system vasculopathy, associated with COVID-19 in children, but data are scarce. The aim of our study was to describe the cases, associated with COVID-19 in children. Method(s) in the retrospective-prospective case series study we included information about five children with COVID-19 associated vasculitis. In every case we have morphological description and the etiology was confirmed by RT-PCR in tissue biopsy. Result(s) The patients' demography, type of SARS-CoV- 2 identification, disease characteristics are in the tables 1-2. All patients required systemic corticosteroids and immunosuppression to control inflammation and recovering tissue damage.