Two Colorado children dead from inflammatory illness linked to coronavirus
DENVER, Colo. (KRDO) -- Two children in Colorado have died after being diagnosed with multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), according to the Colorado Department of Health and Environment.
MIS-C is a rare but serious condition associated with COVID-19 cases among children. The condition involves several body parts becoming inflamed, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, gastrointestinal organs. Symptoms include fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, and feeling fatigued, according to the CDC.
There have been seven cases of MIS-C in Colorado confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control. The state has had two deaths from the new condition, according to CDPHE. However, the agency is not sharing any more details to protect the family's privacy.
Symptoms of MIS-C have been compared to other illnesses like Kawasaki Disease and Toxic Shock Syndrome. Experts at the Children's Hospital Colorado, Colorado Springs, were actually the first people to discover and treat the similar conditions.
"We actually have a number of experts who have been in the forefront of researching Kawasaki and Toxic Shock Syndrome," said Dr. Sara Saporta-Keating. "So [we] are quite prepared to provide care for [MIS-C] patients if they come in."
As of July 15, the CDC says it's received reports of 342 cases and 6 deaths in 37 jurisdictions. Most cases of MIS-C are in children between the ages of 1 and 14 years old, with an average age of 8 years.
