Editor's note:For the latest news on COVID-19, visithttps://www.aappublications.org/news/2020/01/28/coronavirus.
Roughly 342 U.S. children have contracted a rare but serious inflammatory condition linked to COVID-19, and six have died, health officials said Thursday.
The majority of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) cases have been among Hispanic/Latino (38%) and Black (33%) children, new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show. About 15% of the children were White.
“Additional studies into MIS-C are needed to learn why certain racial or ethnic groups may be affected in greater numbers and what risk factors may contribute to this phenomenon,” the CDC said on its website.
MIS-C cases have been reported in 36 states and Washington, D.C. Most have occurred in children ages 1-14, with an average age of 8. Just over half were male.
Roughly 96% of children with MIS-C had a current or recent SARS CoV-2 infection, and the others had been around someone who had the virus, which causes COVID-19. Symptoms of MIS-C typically appeared two to four weeks after infection, according to the CDC.
Patients with MIS-C have fever, inflammation and multisystem organ dysfunction. The AAP released new interim guidance this week on diagnosing and treating MIS-C and encourages a multidisciplinary approach to both.
Researchers are still learning more about the connection between MIS-C and COVID-19. AAP data show just over 200,000 children have contracted COVID-19, and symptoms typically have been less severe than for adults.
