What you should know about the children's syndrome linked to COVID-19
State health officials are increasingly concerned about a mysterious set of symptoms that seem to be linked to COVID-19 that has stricken children, a group thought to be the least likely to develop life-threatening symptoms from the novel coronavirus. As of Tuesday, about 100 young New Yorkers have been admitted to hospitals with inflammatory symptoms similar to Kawasaki disease and toxic shock syndrome. While some have recovered and been released, at least three youngsters have died and two more deaths are being investigated, state officials said.
What are the symptoms of the newly discovered coronavirus-related illness affecting children?
Young children who have what physicians are calling “pediatric multi-system inflammatory syndrome associated with COVID-19" are presenting a host of symptoms including persistent high fever, rash, belly pain, vomiting and diarrhea, said Dr. James Schneider, chief of pediatric critical care medicine at Cohen Children’s Medical Center.
Is it related to other illnesses?
Is it related to other illnesses?
Some experts have said the new syndrome is related to coronavirus. They say symptoms show up a few weeks after infection starts and also appear similar to Kawasaki disease symptoms, including inflammation of the lips, tongue and eyes and rashes.
Do doctors know why this is happening?
Do doctors know why this is happening?
Some experts speculate that the illness is an overreaction by the body’s immune system to COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
What do we know about it so far?
What do we know about it so far?
Authorities and local physicians say that it is a serious inflammatory disease they believe is linked to COVID-19, and that some patients have come into hospitals so ill that they must be immediately put in intensive care. As many as 100 children have been reported having the syndrome in New York State as of Tuesday. It can cause inflamed muscles and breathing problems, state officials said.
Is the disease potentially fatal?
Is the disease potentially fatal?
Yes. State officials have said a 5-year-old boy in New York City, a 7-year-old boy in Westchester County and a teenager in Suffolk County have died from the syndrome.
How do they know it's related to coronavirus?
How do they know it's related to coronavirus?
Officials have said that the young patients did not have the respiratory issues linked to coronavirus but that they either tested positive for COVID-19 or for its antibodies, which would mean their immune system had created antibodies in response to the virus infecting their bodies.
What should I do if my child is showing symptoms?
What should I do if my child is showing symptoms?
Doctors say, in addition to the more common symptoms of abdominal pain and persistent fever, some children with the syndrome can present rashes, red eyes or red lips and tongue, racing heart, trouble breathing and chest pain.
“We are still learning about this. When in doubt, call your pediatrician,” Schneider said.
