CDC update on multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C)
Over 2600 cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) were reported to the CDC between May 2020 and March 2021. The agency notes that the number passed 1000 by October 2020 — and passed 2000 by February 2021. Most cases occurred in children aged 1 to 14 years, 59% were in males, and 66% were in Latinx or Black children. Overall, 1.3% of the children with MIS-C died. MIS-C cases must meet the following criteria: age younger than 21 years, fever, laboratory evidence of inflammation, and clinically severe illness requiring hospitalization and involving at least two organ systems (cardiac, renal, respiratory, hematologic, gastrointestinal, dermatologic, or neurologic). Patients must also have no alternative plausible diagnoses and have either a positive test for current or recent SARS-CoV-2 infection (PCR, antigen, or serology test) or COVID-19 exposure within the prior 4 weeks.