Harsh Chauhan (15) resident of Virar, Palghar district, Maharashtra, was successfully treated for multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), a fatal post-COVID-19 complication that involves multiple organs. Now, the patient has been discharged from the hospital, reunited with his family, and has resumed his daily routine with ease.
Chauhan complained of high-grade fever, severe abdominal pain and was taken to a local hospital wherein ultrasonography was performed on December 30, 2021. As per the investigation, the patient had appendicitis and underwent appendectomy, a surgery to remove the appendix when it is infected, and a large amount of pus was drained from the abdomen. On the second postoperative day, his saturation dropped to merely 40 per cent whereas the normal saturation is more than 94 per cent on room air. The patient was breathless and was referred to Wockhardt Hospital, Mira Road for further treatment.
Dr Ankit Gupta, Lead Paediatric Critical care specialist, Wockhardt Hospital, Mira Road, said, “On arrival in an emergency at 2:30 AM in the night, the patient was critical and his saturation level was 30 per cent. He was promptly put on high ventilator support, his CT scan showed around 70 per cent of lung involvement and had acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Since there was multi-system involvement like abdomen, lungs and his blood pressure was low, we suspected multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) temporarily associated with coronavirus. MIS-C is a syndrome wherein one’s organs and tissues tend to get severely inflamed. It involves one’s heart, lungs, kidneys, skin, brain, eyes, and gastrointestinal organs. It is associated with the novel virus and many children suffer from it after getting infected or if they have a family history of coronavirus infection. This patient had a family history of COVID-19 infection.”
Dr Gupta added, “He was treated with steroids and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). The patient’s condition dramatically improved. He was off the ventilator after four to five days. After a week he was discharged, however, not treating him at the right time could have led to the loss of life in a few hours. Till now, two to three MIS-C cases have been successfully treated by us during the third wave of coronavirus. Parents shouldn’t ignore symptoms such as prolonged high-grade fever, red eyes, swelling in the neck, rashes all over the body, abdominal pain, loose motions, low blood pressure, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhoea. These symptoms overlap with various other conditions and so a high index of suspicion for MIS-C is important. So, the patient should also be examined regarding the history of COVID-19."
“We opted for home remedies to help him get relief, but his pain worsened and we took him to a local hospital that diagnosed him of having appendicitis. He also underwent surgery but his condition didn’t improve. Then, his oxygen levels were low and he was detected with MIS-C. Harsh is absolutely fine now, has resumed his daily routine, and is able to concentrate on his studies. Parents should not neglect any abnormal symptoms when it comes to children. Just seek proper care and treatment," concluded the patient's father.
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