Table 1.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children

CDC Criteria for MIS-C
Age <21 yr
Clinical presentation consistent with MIS-C, including all of the following
Fever
Documented fever >38.0°C (100.4°F) for ≥24 h or report of subjective fever lasting ≥24 h
Laboratory evidence of inflammation including, but not limited to, any of the following
Elevated CRP
Elevated ESR
Elevated fibrinogen
Elevated procalcitonin
Elevated d-dimer
Elevated ferritin
Elevated LDH
Elevated IL-6 level
Neutrophilia
Lymphocytopenia
Hypoalbuminemia
Severe illness requiring hospitalization
Multisystem involvement—two or more organ systems involved
Cardiovascular (e.g., shock, elevated troponin, elevated BNP, abnormal echocardiogram, arrhythmia)
Respiratory (e.g., pneumonia, ARDS, pulmonary embolism)
Renal (e.g., AKI, renal failure)
Neurologic (e.g., seizure, stroke, aseptic meningitis)
Hematologic (e.g., coagulopathy)
Gastrointestinal (e.g., elevated liver enzymes, diarrhea, ileus, gastrointestinal bleeding)
Dermatologic (e.g., erythroderma, mucositis, other rash)
No alternative plausible diagnoses
Recent or current SARS-CoV-2 infection or exposure

MIS-C, multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children; CRP, C-reactive protein; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; LDH, lactate dehydrogenase; BNP, B-type natriuretic peptide; ARDS, acute respiratory distress syndrome; SARS-CoV-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.