A rare condition associated with COVID-19, Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome in Children and Adolescents (MIS-C), has been described.
To monitor for occurrences in BC, Dr. Bonnie Henry, the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) has issued a Notice to report cases of MIS-C. This notice requires and enables physicians to provide personal information about suspect and confirmed cases to medical health officers, who will report this information to the PHO.
Patients to be reported are children and adolescents 0-19 years of age with fever ≥ 3 days and two of the following:
- Acute gastrointestinal symptoms (abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea)
- Rash or bilateral non-purulent conjunctivitis or muco-cutaneous inflammation signs (oral, hands or feet)
- Hypotension or shock
- Features of myocardial dysfunction, or pericarditis, or valvulitis, or coronary abnormalities (ECHO findings or elevated Troponin/BNP/NT-proBNP)
- Evidence of coagulopathy (abnormal PT, PTT, elevated d-dimer)
- And elevated markers of inflammation such as ESR, C-reactive protein, or procalcitonin
- And no other obvious microbial cause of inflammation, including bacterial sepsis, staphylococcal or streptococcal shock syndromes, or no alternative plausible obvious diagnosis
Such people should be tested for evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection (positive PCR test or serology) for confirmation. The BCCDC has guidance for clinicians available.
Report cases and suspect cases to the Central CD Hub at 250-565-2990 or CentralCDHUB@northernhealth.ca.
For more information, see the full memo.