François Bolduc:
“What is the connection between Kawasaki disease and COVD-19?
This connection is an emerging issue. Individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 were noted to have a major inflammatory response similar to Kawasaki syndrome. We now refer to it as Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). This connection was reported in a 6 months-old infant and has now been seen in more individuals. A recent report from Italy in the journal Lancet also reveals an increase in the number of cases of Kawasaki syndrome since the COVID-19 pandemic.
What symptoms should we be looking for in children?
According to the Centre for Disease Control (CDC), Kawasaki syndrome is characterized by a combination of symptoms including fever, rash, enlarged lymph nodes, as well as other symptoms that can lead to acquired heart disease.
The American Heart Association (2017) also developed a set of criteria to recognize Kawasaki syndrome. In the more typical form, the symptoms include fever associated with 4 or more of the following:
· redness of the eyes (conjunctivitis)
· changes of the lips or mouth
· neck lymph node enlargement
· skin rash, redness of the palms and soles
· firm swelling/thickening of the hands and feet
In addition to the symptoms listed above, it is crucial to look for abdominal and neck pain as well as vomiting and diarrhea as the gastrointestinal system can be involved.
There is also an incomplete form of the syndrome where patients can present partial symptoms. The criteria for this form include fever for 5 days or more, plus up to three of the criteria mentioned in the classic form.
For more information on the link between Kawasaki Disease and COVID-19, please see the CDC Summary on how to care for children with Multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) during COVID-19 (scroll to the bottom of page).”
