This summary from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides background information on the recently described cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); and 2) a case definition for this syndrome.

• Clinicians in the United Kingdom, New York City and New York State recognized increased reports of previously healthy children presenting with a severe inflammatory syndrome with Kawasaki disease-like features
• Case Definition for Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C)
  • An individual aged <21 years presenting with feverⁱ, laboratory evidence of inflammationⁱⁱ, and evidence of clinically severe illness requiring hospitalization, with multisystem (>2) organ involvement (cardiac, renal, respiratory, hematologic, gastrointestinal, dermatologic or neurological); AND
  • No alternative plausible diagnoses; AND
  • Positive for current or recent SARS-CoV-2 infection by RT-PCR, serology, or antigen test; or COVID-19 exposure within the 4 weeks prior to the onset of symptoms

ⁱFever >38.0°C for ≥24 hours, or report of subjective fever lasting ≥24 hours
ⁱⁱIncluding, but not limited to, one or more of the following: an elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), fibrinogen, procalcitonin, d-dimer, ferritin, lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH), or interleukin 6 (IL-6), elevated neutrophils, reduced lymphocytes and low albumin

• Additional comments
  • Some individuals may fulfill full or partial criteria for Kawasaki disease but should be reported if they meet the case definition for MIS-C
  • Consider MIS-C in any pediatric death with evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection