More than 150 children in California have been diagnosed with coronavirus-related multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) throughout the pandemic.
The state Department of Public Health has reported that as of Dec. 14, at least 152 children MIS-C has been diagnosed, a rare and sometimes deadly inflammatory disease that scientists believe can infect children who have been exposed to the coronavirus.
Experts say that MIS-C is directly related to the rise in cases of COVID-19, the The Los Angeles Times reported Monday. He registered status seven new MIS-C diagnoses a week between December 7 and 14.
MIS-C causes reactions similar to Kawasaki syndrome with organs and tissues, such as the heart, lungs, blood vessels, kidneys, digestive system, brain, skin or eyes become inflamed, depending on the Mayo Clinic.
Many children who are diagnosed with MIS-C have a positive coronavirus antibody test, meaning they have come in contact with someone infected with COVID-19. Symptoms of the syndrome include fever, stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, red lips, bloodshot eyes, and exhaustion.
Across the country, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified 1,288 cases of MIS-C, which killed at least 23 children, on Dec. 4. An analysis by the Los Angeles Times determined that the number of cases has risen more than 125% since July.
The CDC instructed health care providers report cases of MIS-C in a May emergency notice.
Early MIS-C data have determined that, like COVID-19, the syndrome has disproportionately affected black and Latino children. The CDC reports that 40 percent of diagnosed MIS-C cases occur in Latino children, 36 percent in black children, and 15 percent in white children.
Of the 49 MIS-C cases identified in Los Angeles County, 73% occurred among Latino children as of Friday. The 49 children confirmed to have MIS-C were hospitalized.
The Mayo Clinic notes that studies are needed to determine why black and Latino children have been diagnosed more in the United States and whether this is related to lack of access to health care.
Los Angeles County reported an MIS-C death this month without identifying the child, according to officials who presented with a “complex and pre-existing heart condition,” according to the Times. California does not distinguish MIS-C deaths from COVID-19 deaths and has documented three coronavirus deaths in children 17 years of age or younger.