The coronavirus outbreak has been at the forefront of news each week since what seems like forever, and I don’t anticipate the news slowing down anytime soon. Fortunately, new breakthroughs in vaccines have calmed the storm – though reports of new strains and new symptoms seem to continue. In this short summary, we will illustrate new findings regarding symptoms of those with COVID-19 resulting in multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children.

What Is Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome?

Defined as ‘a patient younger than 21 years with fever, laboratory evidence of inflammation, and clinical evidence of severe illness necessitating hospitalization, including involvement of 2 or more organ systems,’ MIS-C (Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome – Coronavirus) presents with variable symptoms such as fatigue, rash, and erythema.

What Is The Purpose Of The Study?

The purpose of the study was to ‘review the incidence and clinical significance of oral and oropharyngeal findings among pediatric patients with MIS-C.’

How Did They Do It?

Evaluating patients at Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of NewYork-Presbyterian, the study found 150 patients 21 years old or younger who tested positive for COVID-19. Of all of these patients, only 47 were determined to suffer from MIS-C. These patients were then documented for various symptoms.

What Did They Find?

Of the 47 patients, 23 had documented swelling, redness, or cracking of the labial mucosa. Five of the patients had documented cases of ‘strawberry tongue.’ Along with these findings, 7 patients also had oral changes that were not classifiable, documented as ‘other oral changes.’ These findings were consistent with blisters or sores and were not given a diagnosis at the time. The study concluded that oral changes may be used as a tool to evaluate and diagnose MIS-C in children.

References:

Halepas, S., Lee, K. C., Myers, A., Yoon, R. K., Chung, W., & Peters, S. M. (2021). Oral manifestations of COVID-2019–related multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children: a review of 47 pediatric patients. Journal of the American Dental Association (1939), 152(3), 202–208. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adaj.2020.11.014

Liability Statement:

The medical advice given in this blog should only be utilized by a medical professional who has received a medical degree. I am not responsible for the medical advice given in this blog and each case should be reviewed extensively with sources outside my blog. This blog is for education purposes only and is not meant as a substitute for an academic institution.