INDIANAPOLIS—State health officials have confirmed the first case in Indiana of a potentially deadly inflammatory condition in children and young adults believed to be linked to COVID-19.
The condition, called multisystem inflammatory syndrome, is believed to involve a response of the patient’s immune system to the virus that can lead to problems with the heart and other organs, said the University of Michigan Health Lab. The syndrome is rare and most children infected with the virus develop only mild illness.
“We’ve had our first confirmed case (in Indiana) of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children,” Box said.”…This is something we’re starting to see around the world, especially in New York City, which has reported greater than a 150 cases and the United Kingdom and now multiple states here in the United States. We’ve asked hospitals to report suspected cases to us as we can investigate and learn more about COVID-19 and how that may be impacting our younger people.”
Box said the state would not identify the city or county where the case was reported, but that it is likely that any and all cases of the syndrome would be referred to the larger Indianapolis children’s hospitals for treatment
Box said the condition is linked to COVID-19 because almost all of the patients in the U.S. and abroad who are suspected to have the syndrome have tested positive for COVID-19, have evidence of COVID-19 antibodies or have been exposed to the virus.
Last week, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a health alert, recommending that healthcare providers report any patient who is suspected to have the condition to “enhance knowledge of risk factors, pathogenesis, clinical course and treatment of this syndrome.”
There are at least three deaths linked to the syndrome in the New York area. Most children with the syndrome have a temperature of at least 100.4 degrees lasting several days, along with other symptoms, including abdominal pain without another explanation, diarrhea, conjunctivitis, vomiting, rash, “a red, bumpy tongue that looks like a strawberry,” among other symptoms, according to the New York City Health Department.
Some children may have symptoms resembling Kawasaki disease, a rare condition in children that can cause swelling and heart problems, according to wire reports. Reported cases have all involved children, but the CDC said it is unknown if the condition can occur in adults.
