New inflammatory disease in European children could be linked to Covid-19

A rare and fatal inflammatory disease which doctors have named pediatric multi-system inflammatory syndrome has emerged in Europe. The disease, which is mostly affecting children of 7 ½ years, could be linked to Coronavirus (Covid-19).

The rare disease has been reported in 100 children in New York and three of them have succumbed to it, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said. 50 cases have also been reported in other European countries such as France, Switzerland, Spain and Britain.

Some of the symptoms of the disease include a high fever, rash, red eyes, swelling and general pain.

Most children who were diagnosed with those symptoms in London did not have any breathing problems. However, seven of them were put on ventilators to improve heart and circulation issues.

The inflammatory disease resembles the Kawasaki disease which is another rare disease that affects children below five years. Its symptoms include a rash, swollen glands in the neck and dry and cracked lips.

Some researchers have studied the rare inflammatory disease in 10 children from Italy. The research which was published in the Lancet journal established that the 10 children experienced severe symptoms than children with Kawasaki disease. Though none of the children with the new disease died, some experienced heart complications and five of them exhibited shock.

The Italian children also had a low count of platelets and a type of white blood cells which has been seen in those battling Covid-19. The children with the rare inflammatory disease were treated with steroids and immunoglobulin.

Eight of those children tested positive for Covid-19 antibodies. According to the researchers, the presence of Coronavirus antibodies means that the children had been infected with the virus weeks earlier.