Manifestaciones clínicas del síndrome multisistémico inflamatorio asociado a COVID-19 en pacientes del Hospital Pediátrico Dr. Robert Reíd Cabral, Santo Domingo, República Dominicana 2021 – 2022

Introduction:  At the end of 2019, coronavirus disease (COVID-19) emerged and spread globally, affecting more than 600 million people. In early 2020, pediatric cases presenting with an inflammatory syndrome associated with COVID-19 were identified, later termed Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C).

Objective:  To identify the most common clinical manifestations of MIS-C in pediatric patients treated at Dr. Robert Reíd Cabral Pediatric Hospital, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, between 2021 and 2022.

Methods:  Observational, cross-sectional, retrospective, and analytical study. Clinical data from 74 pediatric patients diagnosed with MIS-C were collected using a standardized WHO case report form. A Chi-square test with a 95 % confidence level was used to assess the association between elevated inflammatory markers and clinical signs and symptoms. To reduce statistical bias, only the five most frequent signs and symptoms were analyzed.

Results:  The most frequent clinical manifestations were fever (100 %), pale skin (61 %), and rash (49 %). Male sex was slightly more prevalent (51 %). The most common radiographic finding was cardiomegaly (10 %). The p-value was 0.99, indicating no significant association between inflammatory markers and clinical symptoms. The most commonly used treatment was antibiotics (85 %).

Conclusions:  Fever, pale skin, and rash were the most frequent clinical signs of MIS-C. Male patients were slightly more prevalent, and antibiotic therapy was the most commonly administered treatment.

Keywords:
Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children; COVID-19; clinical manifestations; inflammatory markers; radiographic patterns