Coronavirus-Related Inflammatory Condition Among Children In UK, Reported In US

A “mysterious illness” among children raised the concern of parents all across the country who feared it to be related to COVID-19.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) would most likely issue a nationwide alert this week to track the spread of the condition known as “pediatric multi-inflammatory syndrome” which was believed to be associated with the coronavirus disease, CBS News reported.

According to a CBS News article, there are 150 children nationwide who reportedly fell ill with the condition; 14 new cases were reported in New York City on Tuesday (May 12) which was a 40% increase within 24 hours and three children have already died from the multi-inflammatory syndrome.

One of the children affected with the condition was 8-year-old Jayden Hardowar of Queens, New York.

CBS News New York reported that Hardowar’s father, Roup, reported that his son first came down with a fever three weeks prior and reportedly had no other symptoms before he went into a cardiac arrest.

The boy reportedly called out to his mother, turned to his side and never responded anymore.

The report said that Jayden’s brother performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on him which likely saved his life and he was immediately rushed to Cohen’s Children Medical Center where he was sedated and isolated from his family for two weeks.

"As long as they were getting a heartbeat and getting a pulse, I think that was enough to give me confidence he was going to come back," Hardowar said.

Jayden was discharged from the hospital on Tuesday (May 12) and is currently recovering at his home.

It was found out that Jayden tested negative for the coronavirus but he was positive for having the antibody.

"It seems to be actually a post-infectious syndrome, where the immune system is hyperactive and it leads to inflammation of the heart muscle or the arteries of the body," said Dr. James Schneider, of Cohen Children's Medical Center.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said that parents all over the state are concerned about this development; he ordered to hospitals to prioritize COVID-19 testing for children displaying symptoms similar to Kawasaki disease.

These symptoms include fever, a whole body rash, bright red eyes, swollen lymph nodes, feet and hands, red cracked lips, extreme headache and they sometimes feel difficulty in breathing.

Although children might not display all symptoms, should they experience any, doctors advise parents to consult their pediatricians immediately.

The multi-inflammatory syndrome among children was previously reported in the United Kingdom and the authorities issued an alert across the country of an inflammatory condition among children with symptoms similar to Kawasaki disease and toxic shock syndrome needing intensive care.

It was also believed that this condition was associated with the COVID-19.

According to some reports, some children who exhibited the mentioned symptoms tested positive for the virus while others did not.