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Message from DOH: Reporting of Multi-system Inflammatory Syndrome In Children ( MIS-C) associated with COVID-19 for healthcare providers.

Posted almost 4 years ago by Arlene Wright


May 18, 2020

On May 14, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) distributed a health advisory describing Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) Associated with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The Department requests that health care providers report persons who meet the case definition for MIS-C to their county health departments (www.floridahealth.gov/chdepicontact). Please include medical records that provide documentation of each element of the case definition.

Case Definition for MIS-C:

  • An individual aged <21 years presenting with fever1, laboratory evidence of inflammation2, and evidence of clinically severe illness requiring hospitalization, with multisystem (>2) organ involvement (cardiac, renal, respiratory, hematologic, gastrointestinal, dermatologic or neurological);
  • No alternative plausible diagnoses; AND
  • Positive for current or recent SARS-CoV-2 infection by RT-PCR, serology, or antigen test; or COVID-19 exposure within the 4 weeks prior to the onset of symptoms

1 Fever >38.0°C for ≥24 hours, or report of subjective fever lasting ≥24 hours
2 Including, but not limited to, one or more of the following: an elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), fibrinogen, procalcitonin, d-dimer, ferritin, lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH), or interleukin 6 (IL-6), elevated neutrophils, reduced lymphocytes and low albumin

Additional Comments

  • Some individuals may fulfill full or partial criteria for Kawasaki disease but should be reported if they meet the case definition for MIS-C
  • Consider MIS-C in any pediatric death with evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection