Measuring blood antibody levels against SARS-CoV-2 may distinguish children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C), which appears to be a serious but rare complication of viral infection, say researchers at Emory University School of Medicine and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
Children with MIS-C had significantly higher levels of antiviral antibodies – more than 10 times higher — compared to children with milder symptoms of COVID-19, the research team found.
The results, published in the journal Pediatrics, could help doctors establish the diagnosis of MIS-C and figure out which children are likely to need extra anti-inflammatory treatments. Children with MIS-C often develop cardiac problems and low blood pressure requiring intensive care.
More information about this research here.
Infographic showing CDC criteria for the diagnosis of MIS-C. From Nakra et al via Creative Commons.
Other recent news on multisystem inflammatory syndrome:
Rare hyperinflammatory syndrome in children with COVID-19 described (Karolinska Institute, Cell)
SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses in children with MIS-C and mild and severe COVID-19 (University of Pennsylvania, preprint)
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