Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) burden in India: A multicentre implementation research study
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a severe post-infectious complication of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. The condition has limited evidence and requires further exploration in countries such as India. Objectives To estimate the proportion of suspected cases classified as MIS-C and describe clinical features, severity, treatment and outcomes within the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) National Clinical Registry for COVID-19. Methods Twelve tertiary hospitals in 11 states and union territories contributed to a registry extension, with retrospective review (April 2020-December 2022) and prospective surveillance (January 2023-June 2024). Cases were classified using the World Health Organization (WHO) definition, and analyses used the data available for each variable. Results Of 217 suspected cases, 41 (18.9%; 95% confidence interval 14.2-24.6%) were classified as MIS-C and 176 as not confirmed. Among confirmed cases, 43.9% were aged 0-4 years, 53.7% were aged 5-14 years, and 70.7% were male. Fever was universal; shock and respiratory features were more frequent than in not confirmed cases. Of 35 confirmed children with data, 21 (60.0%) required intensive care, and one of 41 died. Corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulin were administered to 65.9% and 61.0% of patients, respectively. Conclusion Extending an existing registry to paediatric departments provided a multicentric estimate among hospitalised suspected cases and a practical model for paediatric surveillance in resource-limited settings.
Authors: Anoop Velayudhan, P. Majumdar, G. Kumar, A. Turuk, Anshuman Thakur, Sharma SK, P. Shukla, Chander BT, V. Rajesh, M. Rajarao, P. Bhardwaj, A. Kumar, I. Saini, A. Singh, S. Shivnitwar, S. Tripathy, S. Kanitkar, M. Barthwal, A.L. Kakrani, S. Mane, M. Shameem, N. Fatima, A. Bhalla, J. Murlidharan, S. Paul, R. Choudhury, M. Rao, S. Pala, H. Barman, A. Mukherjee
Institutions: IIHMR University, Indian Council of Medical Research, Osmania Medical College, National Institute for Implementation Research on Non-Communicable Diseases, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Hospital, Aligarh Muslim University, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, St.John's Medical College Hospital, North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,000
OpenAlex ID: W7222232042