The Importance of Early Recognition, Timely Management, and the Role of Healthcare Providers in Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children

In April 2020, a pediatric report of an unusual inflammatory illness associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) led to similar cases in Europe and North America, which was referred to as multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). Herein, we describe the case of a 12-year-old boy who had a history of polymerase chain reaction confirmed COVID-19 and developed MIS-C approximately three weeks after an initial diagnosis of COVID-19. High fever with abdominal pain mimicking appendicitis was the initial manifestation of MIS-C, which could have been easily missed if the patient's history of COVID-19 was ignored. Intravenous immunoglobulin was administered twice, 24 hours apart, five days after the onset of MIS-C, and the patient fully recovered without any obvious sequelae. Early recognition by disease awareness and prompt management are the keys to saving the lives of children affected by MIS-C.

Automated summary

This case study describes a 12-year-old boy who developed MIS-C approximately three weeks after a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. The initial symptoms of MIS-C were high fever with abdominal pain mimicking appendicitis. The patient fully recovered without any obvious sequelae after receiving two doses of intravenous immunoglobulin five days after the onset of MIS-C. Early recognition and prompt management are crucial in saving the lives of children affected by MIS-C.