The U.S. and some European countries have reported cases of young children testing positive for Covid-19 and have developed serious complications which can be life-threatening.

Rare inflammatory syndrome among children tested for Covid-19

The multisystem inflammatory syndrome is similar to that of Kawasaki disease and toxic shock syndrome.

Three children in New York have died from this "very rare" inflammatory illness which is believed to be linked to Covid-19, according to CNN.

The World Health Organisation has temporarily classified the multisystem inflammatory syndrome as related to Covid-19.

According to the preliminary definition, WHO has urged doctors to take note of symptoms such as fever, inflammation, stomach discomfort (e.g. diarrhoea and vomiting), rashes and hypotension among young children diagnosed with Covid-19 or came in close contact with Covid-19 patients.

MOH: Doctors advised to be watchful of this condition

In response to queries from Mothership, the Ministry of Health said that they are monitoring the situation with the KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH) and National University Hospital’s (NUH) paediatric divisions.

While this multisystem inflammatory condition remains very rare among children and information is still emerging on its link to Covid-19, the ministry has advised medical practitioners to refer potential cases that present with clinical features suggestive of Kawasaki-like symptoms to the Children’s Emergency at KKH and NUH.

Medical practitioners are also urged to be watchful for this condition in paediatric cases who are confirmed with Covid-19 cases, the statement added.

As of May 14, 2020, all children tested positive for Covid-19 in public hospitals in Singapore had either mild or no symptoms.

Of these, none fit the case definition for Kawasaki disease, MOH confirmed.

Top image via American Academy of Pediatrics and KKH/Facebook