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In recent weeks, cases of multi-system inflammatory syndromes (PIMS) have been on the rise in children. They appear on average 4 to 5 weeks after infection. How to recognize it? What are the symptoms ? Explanations.
In its report published on January 27, Santé Publique France notes a “clear increase” in cases of PIMS in connection with the Covid-19 epidemic. The body has identified 849 cases in total since the start of the pandemic, including around twenty each week since the end of December. Most often under the age of 11, these children all had to be hospitalized, whether in intensive care, continuing care units or pediatric wards. Note that PIMS has been associated with myocarditis in two thirds of cases.
The first thing to know is that a PIMS is declared at a distance from the Covid infection, on average around the fourth or fifth week after the recovery of the child. Some pediatricians even have a wider range, estimating that it can occur between three and twelve weeks later.
The signs to recognize pediatric multi-system inflammatory syndrome are as follows:
- A very high fever, often above 39°C;
- A deterioration in general condition with very intense fatigue, loss of appetite, chills, diffuse pain…
- Abdominal pain, diarrhea but also nausea and vomiting may occur.
Consult a GP online
Reassuring consequences
In case of doubt, the High Authority of Health recommends the hospitalization of the child, without waiting for the results of further examinations. With the explosion of Covid-19 cases in children and the gap between the appearance of PIMS and primary infection, we can fear the worst for the coming weeks.
However, reassures Public Health France, “very few sequelae are observed” during the following months, in affected children. And the authority also specifies that it is “not excluded” that the Omicron variant causes less severe forms than Delta, but it still lacks hindsight and data to be able to be affirmative on the subject.