Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C), Possibly Due to COVID-19 mRNA Vaccination

Abstract

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a potentially life-threatening childhood disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection, manifested by the persistence of fever and multi-organ dysfunction, elevated inflammatory markers, and the lack of an alternative diagnosis. It is still unknown if vaccination can precipitate or abrogate MIS-C or if a natural infection preceding or occurring at the time of vaccination plays any role. We present one case of MIS-C in a 16-year-old girl who was fully immunized against COVID-19 (Pfizer), with the second dose received three weeks prior to onset of the disease. She had no history of COVID-19 disease or contact with COVID-19 patients. At admission, she was somnolent, pale, and dehydrated, with cyanotic lips and cold extremities; she was hypotensive with tachycardia and poorly palpable pulses. Initial laboratory results revealed elevated levels of inflammatory markers, and high level of SARS-CoV-2 IgG spike antibodies, while testing for SARS-CoV-2 acute infection and other inflammatory etiologies were negative. Vaccine-related MIS-C was suspected in our case due to the development of MIS-C three weeks following the second dose of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine, the absence of previous infection or exposure to SARS-CoV-2, and a positive result for IgG anti-spike (S) antibodies.

Keywords

• COVID-19 vaccination
• multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C)
• multisystem inflammatory syndrome following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination (MIS-V)
• SARS-CoV-2 IgG spike antibodies
• children