Understanding the rare new pediatric syndrome related to novel coronavirus

The providers at Kids First Pediatric Partners are always working to stay at the forefront of pediatric care and practices. The COVID 19 pandemic has been very challenging in this regard as the medical and scientific community continue to work to understand the many factors that play a role in this rapidly evolving situation. We want to update our families about a new development – a rare situation called MIS-C. It is a severe multisystem inflammatory syndrome possibly associated with COVID-19.

For a number of weeks we have been aware of a small number of cases of children with very serious presentations of an inflammatory condition that seems to be related to COVID19. Some of these cases have developed after days of fever, poor appetite, vomiting, red eyes and cracked lips – while others have presented with rapid onset of extreme lethargy and seeming very sick. Most have not had the cough or breathing issues that are usually associated with COVID 19. These kids have needed emergent care in ICUs for the severe inflammation that occurs in their heart, circulatory system and in other organs as well.  

While MIS-C is very rare, we will of course continue to monitor all of the developments regarding PIMS and the evolving COVID 19 pandemic.  If your child is sick with fever, poor appetite, red eyes or any other symptom – it is extremely unlikely they have PIMS – but we encourage you to call and set up a telehealth visit with our doctors to discuss and evaluate your child.

The cash price for a COVID-19 diagnostic test is $80. We provide this information to our patients, health insurers, and the general public, pursuant to Section 3202 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.