Between 30 and 40 Thai youths, who have recovered from COVID-19 infection, have been found to be suffering from multiple-system inflammatory syndrome in children, or MIS-C, and one might have died from the condition, according to Professor Dr. Somsak Lolekha, president of the Royal College of Paediatricians of Thailand.
MIS-C is a rare but severe condition which can develop in children and adolescents who have been infected with COVID. It usually appears 2-8 weeks following the infection. The young patients can develop a persistent fever of more than 38oC for more than 24 hours, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhoea, rashes, conjunctivitis, cardiac damage and shock.
In such cases they must see their doctor immediately.
Dr. Somsak said that, as more youngsters are getting infected with COVID-19, there is a greater likelihood that MIS-C cases will increase, as he suggested that parents observe the condition of their children for 3 weeks after their initial recovery from COVID-19.
According to the Health Services Department, 129,165 children and adolescents, aged 6-18, were infected with COVID-19 between April 1st and September 11th, 90% of whom were Thais. 15 have died, most from underlying diseases.
A 13-year-old boy in the southern province of Krabi, who died on September 19th, one day after he was admitted to Khlong Thom hospital for treatment for chest tightness and lower abdominal pain. He was later transferred to the provincial hospital where he died.
The victim’s uncle told the media that doctors at Krabi hospital issued a death certificate, declaring that the boy died of COVID-19, adding that he was confused because the boy had just recovered from the disease.
Krabi Hospital Director Dr. Supot Phukaoloun said that the boy might have died from MIS-C, not from COVID-19.
