Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2
Mother and Newborn Health Research Center, Comprehensive Research Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
3
Children Growth Disorder Research Center, Comprehensive Research Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
4
Department of Pediatrics, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
5
School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
Abstract
Background
Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a documented complication arising from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Even pediatric patients who present with mild initial COVID-19 symptoms may subsequently experience severe morbidity or mortality due to MIS-C; therefore, early identification and prompt clinical management are essential for achieving favorable outcomes. This study aims to assess the clinical characteristics, therapeutic strategies, and patient outcomes among children diagnosed with MIS-C in Yazd, Iran.
Methods
This study enrolled all pediatric patients to Shahid Sadoughi Hospital in Yazd, Iran, who presented with either suspected or confirmed MIS-C between March 2020 and March 2021. Comprehensive medical records were examined to extract data regarding demographics, clinical symptoms, laboratory findings, imaging results, and treatment modalities. Clinical patterns were identified through data using SPSS software, and descriptive statistics along with Fisher’s exact test were employed to evaluate outcomes relative to disease severity.
Results
The study included forty children (52.5% males, 47.5% females) with the mean age of 7.3 years. Clinical presentation was dominated by fever(87.5%), followed by gastrointestinal distress (57.5%), and mucocutaneous abnormalities (20%). The most frequently affected organs were the digestive, respiratory, and neurological systems. 75% needed 1-7 days of hospitalization, while 22.5% needed 8-14 days. 25.5% had severe disease, 47.5% moderate, and 27.5% mild. Remdesivir (40%), corticosteroids (52.5%), and intravenous immunoglobulin (47.5%) were used as treatment. Notably, the mortality rate observed in this cohort was a 22.5% (9 out of 40), which exceeds the rates reported in several international studies.
Conclusions
Compared with international reports, this study shows a higher mortality rate (22.5%), emphasizing the need for early detection, prompt treatment, and increased awareness. Results emphasize the importance of timely referrals and aggressive immunomodulation. Incidence and complications of MIS-C may be reduced through vaccination. To better understand regional variations in MIS-C outcomes, further large-scale studies are warranted.
Keywords
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