Rare Inflammatory Condition Seen In Children Positive For COVID-19

ATLANTA, GA - UNDATED: This undated handout photo from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows a microscopic view of the Coronavirus at the CDC in Atlanta, Georgia.
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A rare, but troubling potential complication of COVID-19 is emerging in children.

Dozens of kids have been experiencing extreme inflammation - most of which also have contracted the novel coronavirus.

The condition is known as Pediatric Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome.

"(It’s) an inflammatory illness in children," University of Minnesota Pediatrician and Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Mark Schleiss said. "And many, not all but most, of the cases appear to have evidence of a recent SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 disease."

Symptoms are similar to other inflammatory challenges or toxic shock syndrome. Fever, abdominal pain and skin rashes are common, while some children in New York have developed heart inflammation requiring intensive care. 

NYC Mayor de Blasio says, as of Sunday, there have been 38 cases of pediatric multi-system inflammatory syndrome — a severe illness believed to be connected to coronavirus — detected in New York City https://t.co/ZK1KgbXmlO pic.twitter.com/1eOzdqpGe1

— CBS News (@CBSNews) May 10, 2020

"We know that for other kinds of toxic shock syndromes in children, that some treatments that dampen or modify or reduce the severity of the inflammatory response can be helpful," Dr. Schleiss said.

As this appears this is a complication of COVID-19, Dr. Schleiss told KCBS Radio it’s important to continue taking measures to avoid contracting the virus.

"That’s why we do social distancing," Dr. Schleiss said. "That’s why we closed down public schools. That’s why we’re home schooling. That’s we’re reducing circulation and contact."

At this point, this inflammatory condition is still thought to be very rare.

New York authorities announced last Wednesday that 64 potential cases had been reported to the state. The advisory followed an alert earlier last week about 15 cases were in New York City.

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