Indiana has its first confirmed case of a new condition known as multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children.
State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box says the syndrome is linked to COVID-19.
“Patients under the age of 21 present with fever, laboratory evidence of inflammation and evidence of clinically severe illness involving multiple organ systems that requires hospitalizations,” Box says.
As clusters of the syndrome popped up around the world in recent weeks, it was first thought to be Kawasaki Disease, which typically causes swelling in blood vessels throughout the body.
Box advises doctors and parents to be on the lookout.
“We also need parents to watch for persistent fever in their children and contact their pediatrician if the child appears more seriously ill,” Box says.
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Box says the state wants hospitals to report suspected cases so it can investigate the syndrome.
Contact Brandon at bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.
This is a rapidly evolving story, and we are working hard to bring you the most up-to-date information. However, we recommend checking the websites of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Indiana State Department of Health for the most recent numbers of COVID-19 cases.
