This new disease has been called paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with COVID-19 (PIMS-TS), a new syndrome that is temporally related to previous exposure to SARS-CoV-2 infection.
2 Recently, a new type of presentation of SARS-CoV-2 infection has been described in children, involving this significant inflammatory response. COVID-19 non-survivors have higher serum ferritin, D-dimer and C reactive protein (CRP) than those who survive, indicating an intense inflammatory response. Several pathophysiological factors may explain these features. 3 4 Recently, the Critical Coronavirus and Kids Epidemiology study reported a mortality rate of 5% in children hospitalised in critical care in five European and American countries (Chile, Colombia, Italy, Spain and USA), with 76% of cases having severe pneumonia as their main manifestation. However, between 4% and 10% of hospitalised children may need to be transferred to a paediatric intensive care unit (PICU), and mortality ranges from 0.1% to 8%. In general, 80%–90% of children with SARS-CoV-2 infection are asymptomatic or have a mild infection. COVID-19 is usually less severe in paediatric patients. 1 2 Moreover, mortality has been associated with multiple organ failure as the common final pathway for pneumonia, sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome. 1 Patients with major comorbidities such as heart disease, diabetes, hypertension or obesity have an increased risk of dying. Healthcare systems worldwide have been deeply concerned, given SARS-CoV-2’s high transmissibility, severity and lethality, particularly in the population over the age of 60 years. It was named SARS-CoV-2 and its disease COVID-19.
According to its genetic sequencing, this virus belongs to the genus Beta coronavirus, closely related to the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) virus. In December 2019, a new viral infection was reported, causing severe respiratory infection and very high mortality.