PMIS:  A Concerning New Entity

Late last week, we received notice from the NYS Department of Health that 64 children had been reported to have developed Pediatric Multi-system Inflammatory Syndrome (PMIS) following infection with COVID-19.  

The syndrome looks like a cross between Kawasaki's disease and Toxic Shock Syndrome and is characterized by prolonged fever, rash, abdominal pain, and myocarditis.  Nasal swabs for the presence of active coronavirus infection are typically negative, but blood-work shows elevated markers of inflammation and the presence of antibodies to COVID-19.

On Saturday, the governor reported that the number of children has risen to 73, and three deaths are now linked to this new condition.  Prior to this report, of the 27,000 COVID-related deaths here in NY, only four were in children under age 10.

What can parents do to reduce the risk of this syndrome?  

1. Give your child an age-appropriate dose of vitamin D3 daily.  The anti-inflammatory effects of vitamin D are well-established, and recent reports are confirming the clinical suspicion that vitamin D reduces the risk of COVID-19. 

2. Give your child an age-appropriate daily dose of marine oil such as cod liver oil.  Like vitamin D, the anti-inflammatory effects are well-established, and omega-3s have a mild blood-thinning effect that could come in handy.

3. For children with an auto-immune condition such as asthma, PANDAS, or Hashimoto's, it may be prudent to check blood levels of vitamin D, omega-3, and baseline CRP (marker of inflammation) if this has not been done recently.

There are a myriad of additional options for reducing inflammation risk.  Not all are appropriate for all children.  If you wish to discuss this matter in greater detail with one of our clinical staff, consider scheduling a telemedicine consult -- or an in-office visit as we have recently begun to reserve our main office exclusively for well-visits.  Children with fevers, coughs, etc. will be seen in suite 202, upstairs from our main office.