Kawasaki-like illness linked to coronavirus in kids is a new disease – and diagnosed by antibody test, researchers say
A NEW Kawasaki-like syndrome in children is a result of coronavirus and can be diagnosed by antibody test, a study has revealed.
Researchers led by the Imperial College Academic Health Science Centre (AHSC) have identified links to Covid-19 in the new and distinct condition.
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The disease - named Paediatric Inflammatory Multi-System Syndrome - was first recognised in April and has had less than 200 identified cases in England.
In the study published today, out of 58 children suffering from severe inflammatory symptoms admitted to eight hospitals in England, 45 had evidence of current or past Covid-19 infection.
The majority of children with signs of infection also had antibodies for the virus, the study found.
Although there is no certain link between the illness and Covid-19, researchers said the discovery of a new inflammatory condition during the outbreak is unlikely to be a coincidence.
CLOSE MONITORING
The syndrome has been compared to Kawasaki disease, which mainly affects children under the age of five, with symptoms including a high temperature, rashes, swelling and a toxic shock-style response.
However, the new illness is thought to include abdominal pains and diarrhoea more often, alongside the joint symptoms of persistent fever.
Although some patients with the condition have required intensive care, others have responded quickly to treatment and have been discharged.
Dr Julia Kenny, a consultant in paediatric infectious diseases and immunology at Evelina London, said: "Our analysis has shown that this is indeed a new condition.
"Untreated, there is a risk of severe complications in very unwell children, but with early identification and treatment the outcome is excellent, with the children we are reviewing after discharge completely well."
The study's lead author Dr Elizabeth Whittaker said: “The new condition, PIMS-TS, is extremely rare but it can make a child very ill, so it’s important to characterise the disease properly so we can provide close monitoring and the best treatment.
"For any parents worried about their children, I would urge them to follow their usual instincts – whatever would normally prompt you to visit your GP or A&E with your child still applies here."
Nine-year-old Bobby Dean, from Hornell in New York, fell ill earlier this month, just weeks after his mum Amber had finished self-isolating after suffering from mild .
At first, the youngster appeared to suffer an upset stomach, however his condition quickly deteriorated until he was unable to eat anything or sit up without suffering extreme pain.
Amber, who is married with three children, said: "At first it was nothing major, it seemed like a tummy bug, like he ate something that didn’t agree with him.
INFLAMMATORY SYNDROME
"But by the next day, he couldn’t keep anything down and his belly hurt so bad he couldn’t sit up."
Amber rushed Bobby to his family's local hospital where doctors diagnosed Bobby with suspected appendicitis and sent him home saying he should see his paediatrician.
The family followed the doctors' advice and Bobby was tested for coronavirus.
However, while waiting for the result, Bobby’s health declined further and he started developing severe dehydration, abdominal swelling, as well as a fever and rapid heartbeat.
His worried father Michael drove him 90 minutes to Golisano Children’s Hospital in Rochester, where a Covid-19 test quickly came back positive.
It was then, after examination, that medics realised he was one of the children suffering from the new inflammatory syndrome linked to coronavirus.
After his diagnosis, Bobby spent six days in hospital hooked up to an IV drip and heart monitor, before being allowed home.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham also found that antibody testing can be used to help diagnose the new syndrome.
In a study of eight hospitalised children between the ages of seven and 14 with PIMS-TS symptoms, the researchers found all of them tested negative for Covid-19 when given a PCR test.
However, when given an antibody test, every child had high levels of antibodies for the virus, with patterns indicating the infection likely occurred weeks or months before.
The researchers said their work raises the possibility that children who may not have been unwell previously could be at risk of developing the new syndrome.
Dr Alex Richter, lead researcher and consultant immunologist at the University of Birmingham's Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy said: "We have designed a sensitive antibody test that can be used to detect exposure to SARS-CoV-2 infections.
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"The test will be used to understand how many people have suffered from Covid-19 in our communities but we have found another use identifying PIMS-TS in these sick children."
Just yesterday, it was confirmed that 100 kids have developed the inflammatory condition linked to coronavirus in New York, which has already killed at least three children in state.
confirmed that more kids have been exhibiting symptoms brought on by coronavirus and likened to Kawasaki Disease as two more deaths are investigated.
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