CreakyJoints discusses what adults need to know about a new condition associated with the coronavirus known as Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C), according to experts including Sarah Faith Taber, MD, pediatric rheumatologist at HSS. 

“Doctors are still learning about what causes MIS-C, but some children have had clinical and laboratory evidence of a phenomenon known as cytokine storm,” said Dr. Taber. “In cytokine storm, the normal control that the body has over the immune system is compromised, leading to an over-activation that can cause fevers, rashes, and damage to the organs,” she explained.

“There is no evidence at this time that children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) or other pediatric inflammatory diseases are at increased risk,” cited Dr. Taber. “Recent evidence also suggests that most of the medications used to treat JIA do not place a child at increased risk of developing MIS-C or other severe manifestations of COVID.” Healthy children with a family history of autoimmune diseases are also not at an increased risk at this time, she added.

“Some autoimmune diseases, including systemic onset JIA and lupus, may have symptoms which are similar to MIS-C, such as fever or rash,” said Dr. Taber.

Read the full article at Creakyjoints.org.