The Polk County Pediatric Medical Collaborative confirmed to KCCI that Iowa has its first confirmed case of Pediatric Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (PMIS).”A very small portion of children with COVID are the ones who will suffer with this,” said Nivedita Krishnan, the medical director of the pediatric urgent care at MercyOne Des Moines. Dr. Moshe Arditi, pediatric infectious disease expert at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in LA, said PMIS symptoms include persistent fever, inflammation and poor functions in organs such as the kidneys or heart. Arditi said children may also show evidence of blood vessel inflammation such as red eyes, a bright red tongue and red cracked lips. The Collaborative said it was informed Friday afternoon of a positive case of PMIS in eastern Iowa. PMIS is rare, but can be deadly. Doctors said the syndrome seems to develop week after a child was possibly infected with COVID-19. “Basically, there is an inciting infection that then triggers the body to release an entire system inflammatory response,” Krishnan said. The new disease is similar to Kawasaki and Toxic Shock syndrome. Doctors said the infection can lead to inflammation of the heart muscle and arteries. “The fever will be the biggest giveaway,” Krishnan said. She hasn’t seen a case of PMIS yet, but has tested nearly 100 children for COVID-19. So far, she’s had about 12 test positive for COVID-19, the youngest being 20-months-old. “If your child has a fever for more than 48 to 72 hours, bring them to be seen,” Krishnan said. The state has not confirmed the case. For more information about cases in Iowa, click here.For information about how to stay healthy, click here. Check back for updates on this story.
DES MOINES, Iowa —
The Polk County Pediatric Medical Collaborative confirmed to KCCI that Iowa has its first confirmed case of Pediatric Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (PMIS).
“A very small portion of children with COVID are the ones who will suffer with this,” said Nivedita Krishnan, the medical director of the pediatric urgent care at MercyOne Des Moines.
Dr. Moshe Arditi, pediatric infectious disease expert at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in LA, said PMIS symptoms include persistent fever, inflammation and poor functions in organs such as the kidneys or heart. Arditi said children may also show evidence of blood vessel inflammation such as red eyes, a bright red tongue and red cracked lips.
The Collaborative said it was informed Friday afternoon of a positive case of PMIS in eastern Iowa.
PMIS is rare, but can be deadly. Doctors said the syndrome seems to develop week after a child was possibly infected with COVID-19.
“Basically, there is an inciting infection that then triggers the body to release an entire system inflammatory response,” Krishnan said.
The new disease is similar to Kawasaki and Toxic Shock syndrome. Doctors said the infection can lead to inflammation of the heart muscle and arteries.
“The fever will be the biggest giveaway,” Krishnan said.
She hasn’t seen a case of PMIS yet, but has tested nearly 100 children for COVID-19. So far, she’s had about 12 test positive for COVID-19, the youngest being 20-months-old.
“If your child has a fever for more than 48 to 72 hours, bring them to be seen,” Krishnan said.
The state has not confirmed the case.
For more information about cases in Iowa, click here.
For information about how to stay healthy, click here.
Check back for updates on this story.
