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Background In Sicily, the first wave of COVID-19 showed a low epidemic impact in paediatric population, while the second and the third waves had a higher impact on clinical presentation of COVID-19 in children and a significantly higher severe outcome in patients with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), with a frequent life-threatening progression. Methods We describe a cohort of 22 Sicilian children (11 M; 11 F; age: 1.4–14 years), presenting with clinical features compatible with MIS-C. Patients with negative swab had a history of recent personal or parental infection. Results The following diagnostic criteria were detected: fever (100%); cheilitis and/or pharyngeal hyperaemia (86%); latero-cervical lymphadenitis (82%); rash (73%); abdominal pain and/or vomiting and/or diarrhoea (64%); conjunctivitis (64%); hands and feet oedema (18%). 59% showed cardiac involvement (6 pericardial effusion; 8 mitral valve insufficiency; 4 insufficiency of two valves; 3 coronary artery lesions (CAL)). In all the patients, treatment was started within 72 h after the admission, with intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) (2 g/Kg/dose), methylprednisolone (2 mg/Kg/day in 73% of patients; 30 mg/Kg/day for 3 days, followed by 2 mg/Kg/day in 27% of patients). Two patients were treated with enoxaparin. Two patients with shock, were additionally treated with vasoactive drugs, albumin, diuretics. Cardiac involvement evolved into the complete resolution of lesions in most of the patients. All the patients were included in a follow-up, to investigate on clinical outcome and resolution of organ involvement. Cardiac valve insufficiency persisted only in 18% of children, CAL persisted only in 33% of children with coronary involvement, however without the evolution into aneurisms. Conclusions The preferred treatment strategy was more aggressive at the diagnosis of MIS-C, to block the cytokine cascade. Most of our patients, in fact, received a first-line treatment with IVIG and steroids. This approach could explain the favourable prognosis, the rapid restoring of cardiac function also in patients with MAS or shock, and the good outcome during the 10 months follow-up in all the patients.

BACKGROUND To date, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains a global health concern, with fatalities mostly in older age groups with underlying medical conditions, while children are less likely to manifest severe symptoms. CASE REPORT We describe the clinical cases of 2 brothers admitted to our Children's Hospital for persistent fever and cough during the COVID-19 pandemic. Case 1. A 1.5-year-old boy had fever, expiratory dyspnea, desaturation, oxygen saturation 94-96% with O2, and bilateral hissing and crackling rales. His interleukin-6 level in the acute phase of the disease was 100.41 and at the resolution it was 46.2 pg/ml. Treatment with amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid, methylprednisolone, and O2 allowed progressive improvement of clinical conditions and laboratory data. Case 2. A 3-month-old toddler was admitted to our hospital for fever, cough, and tachypnea, which started 2 days before hospitalization. He had fever, cough, conjunctivitis, mucous rhinorrhea, and 99% oxygen saturation on room air. Thorax auscultation showed whistles and buzzes. He had a positive molecular test result from a COVID-19 swab. Interleukin-6 levels during all the phases of the disease were

Background The ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic represents an unprecedented global health challenge. Many COVID-19 symptoms are similar to symptoms that can occur in other infections. Malaria should always be considered in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection returning from endemic areas. Case presentation We present the first case of multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) and Plasmodium vivax-falciparum and SARS-CoV2 coinfection in children. Despite clearance of parassitaemia and a negative COVID-19 nasopharyngeal PCR, the patient’s clinical conditions worsened. The World Health Organization (WHO) criteria were used to make the diagnosis of MIS-C. Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins and methylprednisolone was effective. Conclusions This case emphasizes the importance of considering malaria diagnosis in patients returning from endemic areas, even in the COVID 19 era. Malaria and SARS-CoV2 co-infection may increase the risk of MIS-C, for which early detection is critical for proper management.