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In April, researchers from several European countries with a high number of COVID-19 cases recognized a new inflammatory syndrome in children that was similar to Kawasaki disease , a rare syndrome known to affect young children. Now, a study by Imperial College London (United Kingdom) in children with these severe inflammatory symptoms shows that what they suffer is not Kawasaki disease, but a new pathology.

This new disease, which researchers have named Temporarily Associated Pediatric Multisystemic Inflammatory Syndrome with SARS-CoV-2 (PIMS-TS), was studied in 58 children admitted to eight hospitals in England . It is believed to be extremely rare, but there is concern that lasting coronary damage will occur. Fewer than 200 cases have been reported in England with a range of symptoms and severity, and most children have already recovered.

While the team cannot say with certainty that PIMS-TS is caused by Covid-19, 45 of the 58 children had evidence of current or past Covid-19 infection , and researchers say the occurrence of a new inflammatory condition during a pandemic is a coincidence.

Most children with evidence of infection had antibodies to the new coronavirus, suggesting that PIMS-TS occurs after infection , potentially as a result of an overreaction of the immune system.

For this reason, the researchers also say that understanding more about PIMS-TS could help a more general understanding of Covid-19 and its effects, even in adults. Because PIMS-TS is so different, it is easy to study individuals with high inflammation , which may be more difficult to identify in the general population.

"The new disease, PIMS-TS, is extremely rare but it can make a child very ill, so it is important to characterize the disease properly so that we can provide close follow-up and the best treatment," explains the lead author of the paper. Elizabeth Whittaker.

Another author, Julia Kenny, explains that without treatment, there is a risk of severe complications in very sick children, but with early identification and treatment the result is "excellent . " "The children we are reviewing after discharge are completely fine," he reassured.

PIMS-TS appears to be more likely to affect children older than Kawasaki disease (an average of nine years versus four years respectively) and occurs more often with abdominal pain and diarrhea along with common features such as persistent fever. . It also appears to affect a higher proportion of black and Asian patients.

Blood tests also show different results, as PIMS-TS patients show more markers of inflammation and heart enzymes, suggesting that the heart is under stress.

Kawasaki disease is known to damage the coronary artery in such a way that as the child grows the artery does not , leading to a reduction in the amount of blood that can reach the heart. Immunotherapy is known to help alleviate these problems, which is why it has also been used in patients with PIMS-TS, although the team says that the differences between the two diseases imply that further investigation is necessary and that treatment should be carefully supervised.

"The new disease presents itself in several ways and can have serious complications. However, the more we learn, the better prepared we are to intervene and prevent worse results. For example, patients who develop shock and heart failure have a different pattern of blood tests that can help identify the risk group for specific treatment, "says another of the job leaders, Michael Levin.

In accordance with the criteria of The Trust Project

Know more

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