Clinical and Laboratory Biomarkers as Predictors of Severity in Pediatric Inflammatory Multisystem Syndrome-temporally Associated With SARS-CoV-2: Data From a Prospective Nationwide Surveillance Study in Switzerland
Juliane Wurm, Anita Uka, Michael Buettcher, Lisa Kottanattu, Nina Schöbi, Johannes Trück, Reto Villiger, Nicole Ritz, Petra Zimmermann,- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology (medical)
- Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health
Background:
PIMS-TS (pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome-temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2) is a rare but serious condition in children following SARS-CoV-2 infection, characterized by a range of clinical symptoms with varying severity. Understanding risk factors for severe PIMS-TS is crucial for appropriate and timely intervention.
Objective:
To identify factors associated with increased PIMS-TS severity in children.
Methods:
In this nationwide prospective observational study, epidemiological and clinical data was collected from children <18 years of age with suspected or confirmed PIMS-TS from all 29 pediatric hospitals in Switzerland. Children were categorized into 3 groups according to admission to intensive care unit (ICU): non-ICU, ICU-moderate and ICU-severe, defined as requirement of invasive ventilation and/or inotropic support.
Results:
A total of 204 children were included; 99 (49%) were categorized as non-ICU, 50 (25%) as ICU-moderate and 55 (27%) as ICU-severe. In ICU-severe cases, respiratory and neurological symptoms were more frequent compared with non-ICU cases: 72% versus 47%,
Conclusion:
The severity of PIMS-TS may be predicted using clinical symptoms and laboratory biomarkers, which help clinicians in decision-making and management of patients.