Background: Multisystem inflammatory condition in children (MIS-C) has been defined as a condition related with COVID-19 and characterized by hyperinflammation and multiorgan involvement in children. MIS-C's cardiac involvement is a frequent and dangerous issue. One of the most used diagnostic imaging techniques in cardiology is echocardiography, which is frequently used to diagnose, treat, and monitor patients with any suspected or confirmed cardiac condition.
Objective: To assess echocardiographic findings in children suffered from MIS-C during hospitalization
Patients and Methods: A prospective study conducted at our Pediatric Department in Menoufia University Hospital. During the study period, echocardiographic evaluation was carried for 39 children with MIS-C and age-matched 39 healthy controls. Patients were evaluated daily by echocardiography until discharge or death. Two points were set for analysis; first on detection of any cardiac involvement (Echo1) and second on the day before discharge or death (Echo2).
Results: Among patient group, the most affected system was the cardiovascular system (87 %). Left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) (56%) and valvular involvement (53%) were the most predominant features while the coronary abnormalities (15%) were the least predominant feature. One out of six patients had a coronary artery dilatation and the others had coronary artery aneurysms. LVSD and diastolic dysfunction (DD) were worse in patients with MIS-C than in healthy group. On echo 2, 95.5% of the patients who had systolic dysfunction still had it. No patient with diastolic dysfunction returned to normal even with preserved or improvement of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).
Conclusion: Our findings revealed that the most prevalent echocardiographic abnormalities in MIS-C patients were ventricular dysfunction accompanied with myocarditis-like conditions, which persisted in the echo 2. Coronary anomalies were the least prevalent. However, mid- and long-term follow-up studies are required for MIS-C patients.