Background:
Adolescents with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) associated multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS) can present with shock and myocardial injury and mimic Kawasaki disease.
Case presentation:
We describe 4 previously well adolescents (age 13-14 years), presenting with clinical features of MIS in children (MIS-C). All patients had nearly similar clinical presentation. Hematological investigations revealed elevated inflammatory markers, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and decreased neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio. All patients were negative on real-time polymerase chain reaction against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, but had elevated immunoglobulin G titers. Two patients had atypical Kawasaki disease. Three patients had severe disease with hypotensive shock and required intensive care with fluids and inotropes. Two patients required non-invasive respiratory support for dyspnea and one patient had biventricular dysfunction. All received empiric antibiotics, low-molecular weight heparin, steroids, and intravenous immunoglobulin. One patient succumbed, while others recovered well.
Conclusions:
MIS-C may be a late presentation in adolescent with COVID-19. Individualized treatment with empiric antibiotics, immunomodulation, and thromboprophylaxis can result in significantly better outcome.