Objective: We describe the trajectory of clinical course, laboratory markers and outcomes in children with severe multi—inflammatory syndrome temporally related to COVID-19 (MIS-C) admitted to our pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) . Methods: This was a prospective case series of children admitted to PICU between May 1, 2020 and January 31, 2021, fulfilling the case definition of MIS-C published by World Health Organization (WHO) or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We analyzed demographic, clinical, laboratory data and echocardiographic findings. We also plotted the variation in trends between survivors and nonsurvivors. Results: Of the 34 critically ill children referred to PICU with diagnosis of MIS-C only 17 fulfilled the WHO/CDC classification of MIS-C, rest were MISC mimickers albeit other tropical infections. Median age at admission was 4 years (range 1y 6 mo-8 years). Fever, rash and conjunctival redness were most prominent symptoms. Myocardial involvement was seen in 70.5% while 76.4% developed shock; Invasive mechanical ventilation was required in 64.7% cases. Inflammatory markers showed a downward trend such as—median C- reactive protein (mg/L) had a serial reduction in levels—from (median/IQR) 210 (132.60, 246.90) at admission to 52.3 (42, 120) on Day 3. Median Ferritin (ng/ml) (n = 12) was 690 (203, 1324), serum LDH (IU/L) (n = 12) was 505 (229.5, 1032) and Mean D-dimer (ng/ml) (n = 7) was 5093.85 (1991.65), suggestive of hyperinflammatory syndrome. Twelve patients received intravenous immune globulin, with adjunctive steroid therapy used in two third of the cases. Six children died, 4 of them were under—5 years of age. Tocilizumab was prescribed in two children with high vasotrope inotrope score (VIS), cardiogenic shock and oxygenation index more than 15, both survived. Conclusions: Severe MIS-C has a heterogenous presentation, local or regional outbreaks of prevalent infectious diseases often lead to confusion and overdiagnosis. Higher proportion of mortality was seen in Under −5 children with MISC. Shock—like presentation, presence of myocardial dysfunction or nonsurvivor status is associated with higher trend of inflammatory markers and more profound multi-organ dysfunction. If disease progresses rapidly despite first line therapy (IvIg and steroids), use of Tocilizumab should be considered—as a rescue therapy under resource limitations in the absence of extracorporeal support.

Objective: We aim to describe our experience in terms of clinical and laboratory attributes in children with Multi – inflammatory syndrome in children temporally related to COVID-19 (MISC) presenting amidst other prevalent tropical infections.Design: Prospective case series.Setting: A tertiary care hospital pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).Patients: Seventeen children with severe MIS-C managed in PICU.Methods: We did a prospective case series of children (aged ≤ 12 years), admitted to PICU betweenMay 1, 2020 and January 31, 2021, fulfilling the case definition of MIS-C published by World Health Organization (WHO) or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We analysed routinely collected demographic, clinical, laboratory data and echocardiographic findings. We also plotted the variation in trends between survivors and nonsurvivors.Results: 17 critically ill children with no previous comorbidities fulfilled the WHO/CDC classification of MIS-C. Median age at admission was 4 years (range 1y 6 mo-8 years). Fever, rash and conjunctival redness were most prominent symptoms. Myocardial involvement was seen in 70.5% while 76.4% developed shock; Invasive mechanical ventilation was required in 64.7% cases. Inflammation markers were highly raised - median C- reactive protein (mg/L) showed serial reduction in levels - from (median/IQR) 210 (132.6, 246.9) at admission to PICU to 52.3 (42, 120) on Day 3. Median Ferritin (ng/ml) (n=12) was 690 (203, 1324), serum LDH (IU/L) (n=12) was 505 (229.5, 1032) and Mean D-dimer (ng/ml) (n=7) was 5093.85 (1991.65), suggestive of hyperinflammatory syndrome. Although neutrophilia was seen in 16 patients [Mean (SD) - 14,952.9/μl (7175.2)], lymphopenia was uncommon and seen in only 4/17, median (IQR) [3000/μl (2245, 4508)]. 12 patients received intravenous immune globulin, with adjunctive steroid therapy used in two third of the cases. Six patients expired.Conclusions: With our case series we wish to highlight the pattern of clinical and laboratory features in a cohort of severe MISC who were positive for SARSCOV2 antibody. We suggest refining the spectra of phenotypes of MIS-C for tropical countries keeping other exanthematous infections that present with fulminant myocarditis and refractory shock in perspective.