Comparison of clinical features, management, and outcomes between children and adolescents diagnosed with multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to compare clinical features, management, and outcomes between children and adolescents admitted as cases of multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) in Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study for MIS-C from January to July 2021, in the pediatric ward of IGMC in Himachal Pradesh. All children admitted with a diagnosis of MIS-C were included in the study. Data regarding socio-demographic factors, clinical features, and treatment modalities were extracted and analyzed using Epi Info V7 software. RESULTS: A total of 31 children diagnosed as cases of MIS-C were included. The mean age was 7.12 ± 4.78 years. 71% were in group 0–10 years, followed by 29% in 11–18 years. Although the duration of hospital stay, mortality, and Kawasaki disease cases were more in children as compared to adolescents, the difference was not significant. Similarly, fever, rash, cough, hematemesis, tachypnea, respiratory distress, hypotension, vomiting, bleeding diathesis, hematuria, seizure, encephalopathy, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, and lymphadenopathy were greater in children as compared to adolescents but were not significant. Likewise, abnormalities in various biochemical, hematological, inflammatory, and cardiac markers were deranged to a greater extent in children as compared to adolescents, but there was no significant difference. The need for various treatment modalities such as IVIG, methylprednisolone, low-molecular weight heparin, aspirin, respiratory Support, O(2), ventilatory support, and inotropic support was more in children as compared to an adolescent, but there was no significant difference. CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in socio-demographic factors, clinical presentation, diagnostic test, mode of treatment, duration of stay, and mortality among children and adolescents.