Many children, in France and elsewhere, contracted pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome throughout the pandemic. Probably linked to the virus, the syndrome worries the health authorities.
Children are definitely not being given any respite during this global pandemic. Wearing a mask from 6 years old, sanitary measures in schools… and now, a disease which is very reminiscent of Kawasaki disease.
Indeed, between March 1, 2020 and January 24, 2021, 368 cases of pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndromes (PIMS) were identified by the health authorities.
What is it about ?
The symptoms of PIMS are extremely similar to those of Kawasaki disease. We are talking about high fever, raspberry lips, rashes, difficulty breathing and in some cases diarrhea. Disturbing symptoms that lead to a lot of questions.
It seems that PIMS only attacks children. The average age of infection is 7 years, and infection is believed to occur 4 to 5 weeks after contracting Covid-19. There is no doubt that the two are closely related. 310 cases out of 368 turned out to be due to the virus according to Public Health France. This summer, the number of cases fell sharply, but unfortunately recovered with the second wave.
Between September 21, 2020 and January 24, 2021, 151 cases of PIMS were identified. It appeared that all but three of them had contracted the virus.
Heart damage
Of the 310 cases linked to the coronavirus, 218 (70%) revealed myocarditis, which is inflammation of the muscle tissue of the heart. An inflammation that worries pediatricians, but which can be cured.
171 children out of 368 were admitted to intensive care and 80 were placed in critical care, only one child died. Figures which are not necessarily reassuring, but which can encourage. It would also seem that France is not the only one to be affected by this epidemic.