Paediatric inflammatory multi-system syndrome (PIMS) was described by The Lancet earlier this year as a “new, rare, post-infectious complication of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children.” The condition, which develops spontaneously, has been likened to other life-threatening conditions such as sepsis or meningitis, with the Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals warning it can cause life-threatening shock if left untreated. The side effect remains extremely rare, however, occurring in less than 0.5 percent of children who contract the virus. What’s more, only one to five per 100,000 children afflicted by the condition require hospitalisation.
To date, little is known about the condition, except that the majority of children and teenagers who develop it do not produce symptoms.
When symptoms do occur, however, they typically include a high temperature, a continuous cough, and a loss of change of smell or taste.
Other signs of PIMS listed on the Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) Children’s website, include:
- A rash
- Tiredness and weakness
- Tummy pain or cramps
- Red and cracked lips
- Swollen hands and feet
- Peeling skin on your hands and feet
- Headache
- Red eyes
- Muscle aches and pains
- Diarrhoea and vomiting
- Swollen neck hands
- Unexplained irritability
The health body explains that PIMS typically occurs weeks after the virus has been contracted.
The side effect is characterised by swelling that spreads through the body, a typical immune response it elicits when a pathogen is detected.
The novelty of the side effect has prompted international efforts to investigate the condition and help develop new treatments.
Some preliminary data available for PIMS stems from diagnostic criteria from children admitted to GOSH between April and September 1, 2020.
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In children who did initially develop severe illness with PIMS, researchers observed few organ-specific injuries after six months.
However, concerns remain over physical reconditioning requirements and mental health support following diagnosis.
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Physiotherapy assessments conducted at the time also revealed persisting poor exercise tolerance in the following months.
Great Ormond Street Hospital said: “Learning about PIMS, improving the way we care for young people with PIMS, and sharing knowledge is a priority at GOSH.
“This goes hand-in-hand with research, and whenever possible we aim to include patients with PIMS in our research studies.”
One recent case of PIMS affected 11-year-old Cooper Hayton, from Cumbria, who successfully recovered from his illness.
Cooper’s mum Pippa, said: “I know we were the lucky ones. I wouldn’t want any child or parent to go through what we went through.”
She advised parents to trust their instinct and seek medical care for their child if they sense something is wrong.
The first reports of the post-infection syndrome arose in April 2020, with more than 250 cases identified between March and June 2020.
Researchers have warned there could be a fresh wave of PIMS as Omicron rapidly gains ground in the UK.
Doctor Phil Riley, who leads PIMS services at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, told The Times earlier this week: “With the rate of COVID-19 infections increasing, we will see a rise in PIMS in four to six weeks.”
The health expert said parents should be alert to the symptoms, which he said can include painful lips and “excruciating abdominal pain.”
Source: Daily Express
