Subscribe today for more stories, tips, and updates.

Cincinnati Children's Blog
  • Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • Healthy Living
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Heart Conditions
  • Learning and Growing
  • Research and Discoveries
  • ?
  • Blog
  • Healthy Living
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Heart Conditions
  • Learning and Growing
  • Research and Discoveries
  • ?
  • Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us
HOME/How We Do It/What is Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C)?

What is Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C)?

What is Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C)?
July 8, 2021
0 Comments
By: Glenn Miñano

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children can occur approximately 2-6 weeks after a severe COVID-19 viral infection and is not contagious. In this rare and potentially life-threatening condition, different parts of the body can become inflamed because the immune system goes into overdrive. 

Some of the symptoms include fever, rash, red and cracked lips, big lymph nodes, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, bloodshot eyes, a red tongue that looks like a strawberry and feeling very tired.  

Concerning symptoms that require immediate emergency careinclude difficulty breathing, pressure or pain in the chest, new confusion, trouble staying awake, severe belly pain, and pale or blue skin, lips or nails.  

In addition to blood tests and cardiac tests, imaging tests such as ultrasound, X-ray, CT scan, and MRI can be integral in helping make the diagnosis. Examples of different parts of the body that may or may not be affected are listed below: 

Chest: The lungs can become filled with fluid (pulmonary edema).  

Heart: The heart muscles can become inflamed (myocarditis) and the heart may not function normally. The coronary arteries that supply the heart can become dilated (aneurysmal). 

Abdominal organs: The liver and spleen can become enlarged (hepatosplenomegaly). The gallbladder can become dilated and inflamed. Inflammation can also happen in the pancreas. The kidneys can be injured due to decreased blood supply.  

Bowel: The bowel (intestines) can become inflamed. Inflammation can also happen in the right lower abdomen, which can mimic appendicitis.  

Brain: Ischemia (or reduced blood supply) can happen in the brain. 

Vessels: Blood clots can happen within blood vessels, including the pulmonary arteries (also known as pulmonary embolism). 

MIS-C

MIS-C is a rare but serious condition; we still need more data in order to better understand why this condition happens. Most patients will need hospitalization, and some patients will need to be in the intensive care unit. Different treatment measures may be used to reduce the amount of inflammation in the body or target specific complications.  

More information can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/mis-c.  

 

Tominna template

Dr. Marie Tominna, author; Glenn Miñano, BFA, editor; Meredith Towbin, copy editor

Subscribe today for more stories, tips, and updates.

Related Articles

Happy Memorial Day
Happy Memorial Day
Rich Giordano Comes Back to Radiology to Fill Business Director Position
Rich Giordano Comes Back to Radiology to Fill Business Director Position
Jean Turner Minority Scholarship for Imaging Technology for 2023
Jean Turner Minority Scholarship for Imaging Technology for 2023
Facts About Nuclear Medicine You May Not Have Known 
Facts About Nuclear Medicine You May Not Have Known 
TAGS:
  • multisystem inflammatory syndrome
  • radiology
Avatar photo

About the author: Glenn Miñano

Glenn Miñano is a media specialist in the Department of Radiology, providing graphic design, photography, printing, video services, and administration of the department’s online properties. His works have been published in several medical articles, such as the American Journal of Radiology and the American Institute of Ultrasound. He has been providing these services to the Radiology Department since 1996.

Write A Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

No Comments Yet

Topics

  • Cancer and Blood Diseases
  • Child Development and Behavior
  • Childhood Obesity
  • Chronic Care Networks
  • Cincinnati Walks for Kids
  • Featured Faces
  • Fetal Conditions
  • Fitness and Nutrition
  • Food Allergies
  • Ghana 2012
  • Health Care Public Policy
  • Health Care Quality
  • Health Care Reform
  • Healthy Living
  • Heart Conditions
  • Hospital Operations
  • How We Do It
  • Learning and Growing
  • Meet The Team
  • Nurses Week 2012
  • Patient Family Experience
  • Patient Flow
  • Patient Safety
  • Patient Stories
  • Pin of the Week
  • Radiology
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Research
  • Research and Discoveries
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Share Your Story
  • Technology
  • Uncategorized
  • Vaccines
  • Volunteerism
  • What Makes Us Different
  • What's New
See All Topics
See Less Topics

Subscribe

Never miss a post! Sign up to get new blog updates delivered to your email.

Popular Posts

  • 6 Questions to Ask When Your Child Complains of Chest Pain 1.7k views
  • Stuttering In Young Kids: When To Be Concerned 794 views
  • How Screen Time Affects Kids’ Eyesight and What To Do About It 675 views
  • 4 Questions to Ask When Your Child Has Recurrent Croup 570 views
  • 6 Myths About Kids and Strength Training 544 views
  • Laryngomalacia: Is My Child’s Noisy Breathing Serious? 528 views
About

The Cincinnati Children’s blog features thoughts and perspectives from our experts on all things pediatric health. This blog does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Learn More »

Contact Us
  • 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3026
  • 1-513-636-4200 | 1-800-344-2462
  • TTY: 1-513-636-4900
  • socialmedia@cchmc.org
Connect With Us
  • Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us

© 2009-2022 Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center