Published online Mar 9, 2025. doi: 10.5409/wjcp.v14.i1.100453
Revised: October 2, 2024
Accepted: October 30, 2024
Published online: March 9, 2025
Processing time: 125 Days and 16 Hours
In multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) with coronavirus disease 2019, there was paucity of data from low-income and middle-income countries on cardiovascular involvement and its longitudinal outcomes. We planned to estimate the pattern of cardiovascular involvement among children with MIS-C and its mid-term outcomes.
To determine association between cardiovascular abnormalities and clinical and laboratory parameters. To study the time-line for resolution of various abnormalities.
In this prospective study done in a tertiary care hospital, 270 were recruited from June 2020 to January 2022. Baseline demographic data and clinical presentation were recorded. Laboratory parameters and echocardiography were done at admission. Follow-up was done at 2 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year after diagnosis. Descriptive statistics were used for parametric and non-parametric data. Risk factors were identified by multivariate regression analysis.
The 211 (78.2%) had cardiac involvement and 102 needed intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Cardiovascular abnormalities observed were shock 123 (45.6%), coronary dilatation 28 (10.4%), coronary aneurysm 77 (28.5%), left ventricular (LV) dysfunction 78 (29.3%), mitral regurgitation (MR) 77 (28.5%) and pericardial effusion 98 (36.3%). Coronary artery aneurysm/dilatation during follow-up at 2 weeks and 1 year were 25.7% and 0.9% respectively. Multivariate regression analysis revealed breathlessness [odds ratio (OR) = 3.91, 95%CI: 1.25-12.21, P = 0.019] and hi-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) support (OR = 8.5, 95%CI: 1.06-68.38, P = 0.044) as predictors of cardiovascular involvement. Higher mean age (OR = 1.16, 95%CI: 1.02-1.32, P = 0.026), breathlessness (OR = 4.99, 95%CI: 2.05-12.20, P < 0.001), gallop (OR = 4.45, 95%CI: 0.41-2.52, P = 0.016), MR (OR = 3.61, 95%CI: 1.53-8.53, P = 0.004) and invasive ventilation (OR = 4.01, 95%CI: 1.28-12.58, P = 0.017) were predictive of LV dysfunction. Altered sensorium (OR = 4.96, 95%CI: 2.23-11.02, P < 0.001), headache (OR = 6.61, 95%CI: 1.46-29.92, P = 0.014), HFNC (OR = 7.03, 95%CI: 2.04-24.29, P = 0.002), non-rebreathing mask usage (OR = 21.13, 95%CI: 9.00-49.61, P < 0.001) and invasive ventilation (OR = 5.64, 95%CI: 1.42-22.45, P = 0.014) were risk factors for shock. Anemia was a risk factor for coronary involvement (OR = 3.09, 95%CI: 1.79- 5.34, P < 0.001).
Significant number of children with MIS-C had cardiovascular involvement contributing to higher ICU management. Although shock resolved quickly, resolution of ventricular function and coronary abnormalities were slower, and hence warrants a structured long-term follow-up protocol.
Core Tip: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus can affect the cardiovascular system leading to morbidity and mortality. This prospective study analysed the spectrum of cardiovascular involvement and aimed at determining the associations with clinical and laboratory parameters. Of the 211 patients with cardiac involvement, shock was the predominant finding followed by pericardial effusion, left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, mitral regurgitation and coronary aneurysm. LV function normalized in majority of children within two weeks. Most of the coronary abnormalities normalized within 6 months. None of the laboratory parameter was predictive of cardiac involvement.