Abstract
Objective Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), characterized by fever, inflammation,
and multiorgan dysfunction, was newly defined after severe acute respiratory syndrome
coronavirus 2 infection. The clinical spectrum of MIS-C can be classified as mild,
moderate, and severe. We aimed to evaluate demographics, clinical presentations, laboratory
findings, and treatment modalities of patients with MIS-C according to clinical severity.
Methods We performed a retrospective study of patients who were diagnosed as having MIS-C
between September 2020 and October 2021 in the Necmettin Erbakan University Meram
Faculty of Medicine, Türkiye.
Results A total of 48 patients (24 females and 24 males) with a median age at diagnosis of
10.3 years (range: 42 months–17 years) were enrolled, the most common clinical severity
of MIS-C was moderate. The common presentations of patients were fever (97%), nonpurulent
conjunctivitis (89.6%), rashes (81.3%), fatigue (81.3%), strawberry tongue (79.2%),
and myalgia (68.8%). The most common laboratory findings were lymphopenia (81.2%),
thrombocytopenia (54.1%), elevated D-dimer levels (89.5%), C-reactive protein (CRP;
100%), procalcitonin (97%), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (87.5%), ferritin (95.8%),
interleukin 6 (IL-6) (86.1%), and probrain natriuretic peptide (pro-BNP) (97%). High
levels of CRP, procalcitonin, pro-BNP, and urea were associated with the severity
of MIS-C (p < 0.05). Fifteen of the patients were found to have pulmonary involvement. Ascites
were the most common finding on abdominal ultrasonography (11 patients) and were not
seen in a mild form of the disease. During the study period, two patients died.
Conclusion It is important to make patient-based decisions and apply a stepwise approach in
treating patients with MIS-C due to the increased risk of complications and mortality.
Keywords Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children - COVID-19 - clinical and laboratory
findings
