Children’s intensivist Thomas Crijnen. — © Jan Van der Perre
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Three children with MIS-C syndrome were admitted to the AZ Voorkempen hospital. In MIS-C, the immune system mistakenly starts attacking healthy cells instead of the coronavirus. This can affect multiple organs in the body. Children sometimes need a ventilator and in rare cases there is a risk of permanent damage. Infection expert Patrick Smits emphasizes the importance of vaccinating children.
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Christopher Meussen
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There is not much information about the condition of the children for the time being, but AZ Voorkempen confirms that there were three diagnoses last weekend. According to Patrick Smits, provincial prevention expert for the Agency for Care and Health, the children were not (yet) vaccinated.
“Recently, a strong report came out about the situation in New York. It showed that omikron may be more ill in children aged 5 to 11 years. The agency is following the literature and is in favor of vaccination on the basis of all data.”
More cases on the way?
“I have not heard of these three cases yet, but we have heard a number of cases from neighboring hospitals in recent days after things have calmed down a bit,” says Thomas Crijnen, pediatrician-intensivist at the ZNA Koningin Paola Children’s Hospital in Antwerp. “We also had a case of MIS-C in recent days. We don’t know why that happens. With the Christmas period, the number of infections has increased sharply, so you can bet that there will be an increase again. Fortunately, it is a rare complication.”
The clinical picture is variable, according to Crijnen, with some children who cannot remain seriously ill in the children’s ward. “Others get severe symptoms so quickly that they have to go to intensive care, usually for four days, and then in the regular ward afterwards. As a parent, pay special attention to some strange symptoms, such as a rash on the arms, hands that swell or turn red, very dry or red lips, or even complaints that resemble appendicitis.”
Medical record?
Crijnen also sees that not being vaccinated is a risk factor for MIS-C. “We can handle any increase. It is extremely important that we have good medication available. With IVIG Immoglobulin, a patient’s condition usually improves very quickly, within 24 to 48 hours. At the moment there is enough of it, although pharmacists now often ask whether the medicine is absolutely necessary. That is a sign on the wall that – possibly – a shortage could arise.”
What does Crijnen think of the proposal to circulate the virus in children? “Somehow I understand that vision. Children don’t get sick often, and they should be able to lead normal lives. In addition, vaccination can certainly help. And the danger of ever new variants? That will certainly happen, especially in population groups that have not been vaccinated.”
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