DOI: 10.12890/2020_001886

Kawasaki-like Syndrome as an Emerging Complication of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Young Adults

Authors

  • César Burgi Vieira Unidade Funcional Medicina 2.4, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central, Lisboa, Portugal
  • Ana Teresa Ferreira Unidade Funcional Medicina 4, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central, Lisboa, Portugal
  • Filipa Botelho Cardoso Unidade Funcional Medicina 1.4, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central, Lisboa, Portugal
  • Jorge Pelicano Paulos Departamento de Anestesiologia, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central, Lisboa, Portugal
  • Nuno Germano Unidade de Cuidados Intensivos Polivalente 7, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central, Lisboa, Portugal

cpbvieira@gmail.com

Keywords

COVID-19, Kawasaki syndrome, vasculitis, adult, multisystem inflammatory syndrome

Abstract

Background: Kawasaki-like syndrome occurring in children during the COVID-19 pandemic has been labelled multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) by the CDC and paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection (PIMS-TS) by the ECDC. 
Case report: We report the case of an 18-year-old male patient presenting with a 72-hour history of abdominal pain, fever, erythematous skin rash, vomiting and diarrhoea. Examination showed he also had shock and he was first thought to have oedematous cholecystitis. SARS-CoV-2 infection was also diagnosed. He was admitted to the ICU, and echocardiography showed cardiac dysfunction, with a low ejection fraction and low cardiac index. High-sensitivity troponin serum levels were elevated. The patient received inotropic and vasopressor support. As he fulfilled several criteria for MIS-C/PIMS-TS, he was administered acetylsalicylic acid, corticosteroids and immunoglobulin, with a good clinical response.<br />
Conclusion: This case emphasizes how this severe presentation of COVID-19 can easily be misdiagnosed if the clinician is less aware of this syndrome in younger patients.

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References

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Published

2020-09-10

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 10 (2020)

How to Cite

1.
Vieira CB, Ferreira AT, Cardoso FB, Paulos JP, Germano N. Kawasaki-like Syndrome as an Emerging Complication of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Young Adults. EJCRIM [Internet]. 2020 Sep. 10 [cited 2026 Nov. 3];7(10). Available from: https://ejcrim.com/index.php/ejcrim/article/view/1886

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