The Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome In Children (MIS-C) is a serious condition that is linked to COVID-19. Medical researchers are still unable to correctly predict whether an adult newly diagnosed with COVID-19 will recover quickly or battle life-threatening complications. The same is true for children. Thankfully, the good majority of kids who get infected with the COVID-19 do not develop any complicated symptoms, and they show mild flu-like symptoms. However, a small percentage of children develop a delayed, but extremely troubling MIS-C. It leads to severe inflammation of some organs and tissues - heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, digestive system, skin, eyes, and other parts of the body. Signs and symptoms of MIS-C depend on which part of the body gets affected. The condition is also called pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome (PIMS). It’s a relief that most kids respond to treatment and make rapid recoveries. However, it should be noted that not all children have the same symptoms.

Symptoms

• Fever lasting for 24 hours or longer
• Feeling unusually weak, dizzy, or light-headedness
• Severe abdominal pain
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Red eyes
• Rash (red spots, blotches, or bumps)
• Unusually sleepy or inability to remain awake
• Confusion
• Fast heartbeat
• Rapid or difficulty in breathing
• Soreness, swelling, and color change of the lips and tongue
• Headache
• Enlarged lymph nodes

Causes/Reasons

• MIS-C is not a disease and not much is known about it. It is considered a syndrome and is identified through a group of signs and symptoms.
• It is an inflammatory reaction in the body which comes weeks after getting infected with COVID-19, but it can be dangerous. The symptoms can overlie with infections and other illnesses. Children showing symptoms should be seen by a doctor.
• The symptoms appear between two and six weeks (four weeks on average) after COVID-19 infection. Most children with MIS-C have antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
• It usually affects school-age children, most commonly eight and nine-year-olds, but the syndrome also has been seen in infants and young adults.
• This is a treatable condition and most children recover fully from this illness. With timely intervention it is possible to control the inflammation and help avoid lasting organ damage, especially involving the heart.
• Researchers across the world are trying to learn more about the condition, its cause, and risk factors. They share data to improve the diagnosis and treatment of MIS-C. 

Treatment

• Following COVID 19 protocols, getting vaccinated to prevent oneself from getting the COVID-19 virus and spreading it to others will help in the prevention of MIS-C.
• If you are aware that their child had COVID-19 or was around someone who had COVID-19 and the child develops fever a few weeks later or is severely sick with any of the signs and symptoms, get immediate medical care.