Case Definition Published for Rare Child Syndrome
UK paediatricians have published a working definition of an inflammatory syndrome affecting a very small number of children that may be linked to COVID-19.
The working definition includes:
- A child presenting with persistent fever, inflammation and evidence of single or multi-organ dysfunction with additional features. This may include children fulfilling full or partial criteria for Kawasaki disease.
- Exclusion of any other microbial cause.
- SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing may be positive or negative.
Dr Mike Linney from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health said in a news release: "This new case description aims to include a range of all the possible symptoms and diagnostic information which doctors can use to make decisions about how to treat a child who may have the condition.
"There is no one sign or symptom which alone would indicate that a child has the condition. Doctors can use the definition to look for a pattern of combined symptoms. All of these children were extremely unwell, with features suggestive of sepsis such as a persistently high temperature coupled with rapid breathing, cold hands and feet and sleepiness. The other symptoms varied greatly in the different cases."
"There is no one sign or symptom which alone would indicate that a child has the condition. Doctors can use the definition to look for a pattern of combined symptoms. All of these children were extremely unwell, with features suggestive of sepsis such as a persistently high temperature coupled with rapid breathing, cold hands and feet and sleepiness. The other symptoms varied greatly in the different cases."
NHS National Clinical Director for Children and Young People, Simon Kenny added: "This is helpful guidance for frontline NHS staff on this condition."
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