Two kids diagnosed with MIS-C in Bihar

PATNA: There seems to be no respite from post-Covid complications yet. An increase in cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) in parts of north India has worried parents here too. Experts have advised parents to remain alert, especially if kids or anyone in the family have recovered from Covid-19.
Noted paediatrician and former head of paediatrics department at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) Dr Nigam Prakash Narain said he has handled at least two such cases this week. “One is a 10-year-old boy from Khagaria and another an 11-month-old baby from Patna,” Dr Nigam said, adding parents should remain on guard for at least six to eight weeks after a child or anyone in close contact of the child recovers from Covid. He said though MIS-C is a serious condition, it is treatable if diagnosed on time.
Muzaffarpur-based paediatrician Dr Arun Shah said though just 0.14% of infected children develop MIS-C, alertness is necessary. “In case of noticing persistent fever, rashes, fatigue, red eyes and diarrhoea in kids, parents should seek medical help,” he added.
Dr Shah stressed on the need to sensitise parents, doctors and government regarding MIS-C. “It cannot be treated like typhoid or dengue. It has a different line of treatment and hospitalisation is required,” he added.
Doctors said intravenous immunoglobulin, which is expensive, is required for treating children affected with MIS-C.
Head of paediatrics department at PMCH, Dr Anil Kumar Jaiswal, they have so far not seen any such case. “However, the chances of children developing MIS-C cannot be ruled out. Though rare, MIS-C is a serious condition as it involves several organs like heart, liver, lungs and brain,” he added.
The WHO had come up with a brief on MIS-C on May 15 and cited fever for three or more than three days in children as a symptom. Rashes or bilateral non-purulent conjunctivitis or muco-cutaneous inflammation signs (oral, hands or feet), hypotension or shock, features of myocardial dysfunction, pericarditis, valvulitis or coronary, evidence of coagulopathy (by PT, PTT, elevated d-Dimers) and acute gastrointestinal problems like diarrhoea, vomiting or abdominal pain are the other symptoms of MIS-C.
At least 100 MIS-C cases have been recorded in Delhi-NCR this week and few cases have also been reported in Jharkhand in the last couple of days.