Imaging finds inflammatory syndrome in kids with previous exposure to SARS-CoV-2

Image credit – Evelina Children's Hospital

PARCA eNews – July 15, 2020 – A study of 35 children with a spectrum of abnormal imaging results obtained with chest x-rays, ultrasound, CT scans and MRI has identified a new syndrome in children that may be related to COVID-19 exposure.

The children were admitted to the Evelina London Children’s hospital in London for fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea and conjunctivitis (pink eye). Chest x-rays in 19 of the patients showed bronchial wall thickening, chest CT scans found collapsed lung with pleural effusion (fluid in the lungs) but no embolisms. Cardiac CTs showed deteriorating heart function, inflammation of the heart wall and coronary artery aneurysms (enlarged and weakened artery walls). Other abnormalities were found in the abdomen, appendix and lymph system. The study was published June 25, 2020 in Radiology.

All of the children tested negative for SARS-CoV-2, but blood tests showed antibodies to the virus, indicating prior exposure. In other words, while they did not have an active infection, the conditions seen on imaging may be related to having had the virus previously.

Whether this indicates children have latent effects from COVID-19 exposure or not is unclear. More research will be needed.

Dr Julia Kenny, consultant in pediatric infectious diseases and immunology at Evelina London, said: “Our analysis has shown that this is indeed a new condition. Untreated, there are serious complications but with early identification and treatment, outcome is excellent with the children we are reviewing after discharge completely well."

For clinicians, Dr. Kenny added that it is important to build collaborative research to quickly improve understanding of the condition and the best evidence-based treatment.