First case of serious COVID-related syndrome in children reported in North Carolina

North Carolina has its first reported case of a child with an inflammatory illness associated with COVID-19, the state Department of Health and Human Services reported Thursday.

The illness is called Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children, or MIS-C. The syndrome can affect body organs, including the heart, The News & Observer has reported.

The state did not provide information on the child, but “they are now home and doing well,” said Dr. Mandy Cohen, secretary of NCDHHS, at a Thursday afternoon press conference.

Most children who are infected with the coronavirus show mild symptoms, but the inflammatory syndrome is a serious illness in children and teenagers who have a current or recent infection, DHHS said in a news release.

DHHS is monitoring for other cases. The first cases in the United States were reported earlier this month in New York City, according to the release. Three children there died, McClatchy News reported May 9.

The syndrome is rare, but as more overall COVID-19 cases are reported, more cases of the inflammatory syndrome could follow, DHHS said.

“I know we have the capacity to be able to handle this within our healthcare system,” Cohen said. “Folks do recover from this. It’s definitely something to be aware of. We’re tracking it.”

Most children with this syndrome have a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher for several days. Other symptoms include severe stomach pain, a rash that looks like sunburn, and vomiting.

Here are other symptoms, according to a news release:

“▪ Irritability or decreased activity

“▪ Diarrhea

“▪ Rash

“▪ Conjunctivitis (red or pink eyes)

“▪ Poor feeding

“▪ Red, cracked lips or red, bumpy tongue that looks like a strawberry

“▪ Swollen hands and feet, which might also be red.”

Dr. Eveline Wu, a clinical assistant professor of pediatric allergy, immunology and rheumatology at UNC-Chapel Hill, spoke at a media briefing May 13 about MIS-C. Wu said not every patient with MIS-C also tests positive for COVID-19, though doctors suspect the two are related.

Parents and caregivers are advised to call a doctor immediately if a child has a persistent fever and any of the other symptoms, DHHS said. If the child is severely ill, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911.

In North Carolina, at least 1,032 cases, or 5% of coronavirus cases, are among those 17 and younger, as of May 21. The number could be higher because people haven’t been tested if they aren’t showing symptoms or have mild symptoms.

There have been no deaths recorded in that age group.

This story was originally published May 21, 2020 at 2:08 PM.