Current Affairs

Issue

According to a study, Covid-19 can damage children’s hearts to an extent that it may lead to Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in children (MIS-C).

 

Details

• The authors have cautioned that some children may also need lifelong monitoring and interventions due to the impact.

• Case studies also showed MIS-C can strike even healthy children without warning three or four weeks after asymptomatic infections.

• It can be lethal because it affects multiple organ systems including the heart and the lungs, the gastrointestinal system or the neurologic system.

• The amount of inflammation in MIS-C surpasses two similar paediatric conditions, Kawasaki disease and toxic shock syndrome.

 

Kawasaki disease

• Kawasaki disease (KD), or mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, is an illness that causes inflammation in arteries, veins, and capillaries.

• It also affects lymph nodes and causes symptoms in your nose, mouth, and throat. It's the most common cause of heart disease in children.

• It's most common in infants and young children. Initial treatments include aspirin and intravenous immunoglobulin therapy given in a medical facility.

 

Toxic Shock Syndrome

It is a rare, life-threatening complication of certain bacterial infections.

Risk factors include recent surgery, open wounds and the use of superabsorbent tampons.

A high fever, low blood pressure, vomiting and rash are some symptoms.