According to the American Academy of Pediatrics Newsroom, health officials are seeing a rise in a rare but serious inflammatory condition in children that is linked to COVID-19.

As reported by the AAP, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has called the condition multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). 

This inflammatory condition is described as being similar to the features of Kawasaki disease. "The cases occurred in children testing positive for current or recent infection by SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19, based on reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or serologic assay, or who had an epidemiologic link to a COVID-19 case," the CDC reports.

Below are common symptoms of MIS-C: 

• Persistent fever 
• Hypotension 
• Multiorgan involvement 
• Elevated inflammatory markers 
• Respirator symptoms 

The CDC urges healthcare providers to report any MIS-C patient to local, state, and territorial health departments to increase knowledge of factors and treatments of the condition. 

More information on MIS-C from the CDC can be accessed here. 

Sources: 

American Academy of Pediatrics Newsroom: https://www.aappublications.org/news/2020/05/14/covid19inflammatory051420.

Photo: Kane K, Nambudiri VE, Stratigos AJ. Color Atlas & Synopsis of Pediatric Dermatology, 3e; 2016. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2020/han00432.asp.