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. 2020 Jul 15;57(10):929–935. doi: 10.1007/s13312-020-1997-1

Hyperinflammatory Syndrome in Children Associated With COVID-19: Need for Awareness

Chandrika S Bhat 1,✉, Latika Gupta 2, S Balasubramanian 3, Surjit Singh 4, Athimalaipet V Ramanan 5
PMCID: PMC7605487  PMID: 32683336

Abstract

The pandemic of COVID-19 initially appeared to cause only a mild illness in children. However, it is now apparent that a small percentage of children can develop a hyperinflammatory syndrome labeled as Pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome — temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2 (PIMS-TS). Features of this newly recognized condition may include persistent fever, evidence of inflammation, and single or multi-organ dysfunction in the absence of other known infections. Some of these children may share features of Kawasaki disease, toxic shock syndrome or cytokine storm syndrome. They can deteriorate rapidly and may need intensive care support as well. The PCR test is more often negative; although, most of the children have antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. Although the pathogenesis is not clearly known, immune-mediated injury has been implicated. We herein provide current information on this condition, in order to raise awareness amongst pediatricians.

Keywords: Kawasaki disease, Macrophage activation syndrome, Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children and adolescents temporally related to COVID-19, Pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome — temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2 (PIMS-TS)

Contributors

CB, LG, AVR: substantial contribution to the conception and design of the work, preparation and finalization of the draft; CB, LG, SB, SS, AVR: substantial contributions to the acquisition, analysis, and interpretation of data for the work; SB, SS, AVR: Critical Revision for important intellectual content; CB, LG, SB, SS, AVR: final approval of the version to be published, and agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.

Funding

None

Footnotes

Competing interests

None stated.

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