Prolonged Hospitalization in a Pediatric Patient With Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C) and Human Rhino-Enterovirus Infection: A Case Report

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a serious sequela of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. It is unclear whether the co-occurrence of other viral respiratory illnesses, such as the human rhino-enterovirus (HRV/ENT), prolongs hospitalization or affects the clinical phenotype of patients with MIS-C. We report the hospital course of a three-year-old with MIS-C and HRV/ENT infection, who tested positive for HRV/ENT infection a few days prior to re-presenting for six days of fever, one day of emesis, bilateral conjunctivitis, and shortness of breath, all consistent with MIS-C. Due to worsening hypotension, he was admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit (ICU) at a tertiary center, where he received vasoactive support, intravenous immunoglobulin, and high-dose intravenous steroids. Because of his worsening respiratory status, he was also started on anakinra with resultant gradual improvement. He was hospitalized for a total of 15 days. Concurrence of other viral infections may prolong hospitalization for patients with MIS-C.