Children who develop multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) after a COVID-19 infection are at a significantly higher risk for new and ongoing health issues compared to children who do not have MIS-C. This finding comes from a study published recently in Pediatrics.
MIS-C is a rare, severe post-viral condition characterized by widespread inflammation that often necessitates hospitalization. While some previous research suggested that certain symptoms might diminish within two years of infection, this latest study is the first to demonstrate that health complications can persist for as long as 4.5 years following COVID-19.
Substantially Increased Risk of Heart Disease
In a large retrospective analysis, researchers analyzed the electronic health records of 173 children diagnosed with MIS-C and 14,190 children without the condition from the Montefiore Health System. They tracked the health of both groups for up to 4.5 years after their COVID-19 diagnosis.
The presence of MIS-C was linked to children developing new chronic health conditions. Notably, these children faced a nearly 14-fold increase in their likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease, including heart failure. Children with MIS-C also showed elevated risks for high blood pressure, neurological and psychological disorders such as stroke, depression, and anxiety, as well as respiratory and gastrointestinal problems, chronic kidney disease, and shock.
The study’s authors emphasized the importance of organized follow-up for MIS-C patients due to these extensive, multisystem risks. They specifically highlighted the necessity of regular blood pressure monitoring, given the dramatically increased risk of hypertension.
Furthermore, the researchers advocate for comprehensive, multidisciplinary follow-up care for children who have experienced MIS-C. This approach should include screenings for cardiovascular health, kidney function, and neurological and mental health conditions.
The authors concluded that their cohort’s long-term outcome patterns revealed a consistent and ongoing increase in multisystem health problems among MIS-C survivors compared to similar children without MIS-C, with these disparities widening over the 4.5-year observation period.