By: Saar Danon, M.D., medical director, Pediatric Cardiology and Congenital Cardiac Catheterization, MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach
Although COVID-19 does not impact kids as much as adults, there are some risks. Researchers have learned that children who have been infected with COVID-19 can later experience cardiac effects due to Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C). This can occur weeks after exposure to COVID-19, and in some cases without symptoms during the initial infection. MIS-C is a condition where multiple organ systems become inflamed, including the heart which can cause damage to the heart cells.
For most children, MIS-C seems to be a delayed complication of a COVID-19 infection, but not all children with MIS-C-related symptoms test positive for the virus. This predominantly occurs in children younger than 14, but has been seen in up to 20-years-old.
Symptoms of MIS-C may include:
- Fever that lasts longer than 24 hours
- Skin rash
- Abdominal pain, vomiting or diarrhea
- Bloodshot eyes
- Redness or swelling of the lips, tongue, hands or feet
- Feeling very tired
- Headache, dizziness or lightheadedness
- Enlarged lymph nodes
Children who become severely ill from MIS-C can experience emergency warning signs, which can include:
- Trouble breathing
- Severe stomach pain or pressure that doesn’t go away
- Bluish lips or face
- Inability to wake up or stay awake
MIS-C is rare, and most children eventually get better with proper diagnosis and treatment. However, if your child is showing the above warning signs, it’s important to seek emergency care right away. If you suspect your child has MIS-C and he or she is not severely ill, it is still important to talk to your child’s doctor to order the appropriate studies to identify potential inflammation in the body.
It is especially important to rule out cardiac inflammation by performing appropriate lab work, EKG, and/or echocardiogram. Should MIS-C be diagnosed or suspected, the team will treat it appropriately to help avoid or reduce any long-term effects. It is important that this includes specialized, pediatric cardiac care.
The Children’s Heart Institute at MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach is one of the few programs in Southern California that offers comprehensive cardiac care for children of all ages, as early as in utero, through young adulthood. The Congenital Cardiac Catheterization Program diagnoses and treats various heart conditions using the latest technologies, like bi-plane imaging. Should surgery be needed, the Pediatric & Adult Congenital Cardiac Surgery Program treats virtually any congenital heart defect, no matter the age of diagnosis. Patients recovering from surgery, cardiac catheterization and serious heart conditions stay in the Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit, one of the only ones in the region, which provides specialized, dedicated cardiac care for children. Learn more about the Children’s Heart Institute.