SARS-CoV-2-Induced Kawasaki-Like Hyperinflammatory Syndrome: A Novel COVID Phenotype in Children

July 1, 2020

Licciardi F, Pruccoli G, Denina M, et al.

Pediatrics

This study identified two male patients, aged 7 and 12 years, who both tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 by real-time PCR, but tested positive for IgG and IgM SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Both patients presented to the emergency room with diarrhea, abdominal pain, high fever, low lymphocyte count, high C reactive protein and procalcitonin. After patients were given antibiotic therapy, fevers persisted and each patient developed conjunctivitis, fissured lips, and acral rash. Patients improved after IV corticosteroid therapy (methylprednisolone) was administered. These two cases suggest that children may develop an inflammatory syndrome which mimics Kawasaki Disease late in the phase of viral infection, when SARS-CoV-2 is no longer detectable in nasal swab specimens.

Licciardi F, Pruccoli G, Denina M, et al. SARS-CoV-2-Induced Kawasaki-Like Hyperinflammatory Syndrome: A Novel COVID Phenotype in Children. Pediatrics 2020. DOI:10.1542/peds.2020-1711.

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