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Adult ICU Is Now Full Of Children, What Parents Need To Know About MIS-C

Adult ICU Is Now Full Of Children, What Parents Need To Know About MIS-C

MIS-C is a rare but serious condition associated with COVID-19 in which different body parts become inflamed.

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The Ministry of Health (KKM) recently announced a 160% increase in COVID-19 cases among children in Malaysia.

This is a matter of concern and should be taken seriously by parents in particular.

With the various variants in existence, the epidemic has become much easier to spread and without us realizing it.

In addition to the symptoms caused by Covid-19 itself, there is another complication that worry doctors, namely MIS-C or multisystem inflammatory syndrome.

MIS-C is a condition where different body parts can become inflamed, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs.

@rafidah72 Please ibubapa. Cepatlah bawa anak2 untuk vaksin sebelum mereka dijangkiti COVID19. #TikTokGuru #JomBelajar #LearnOnTikTok #lindungidirilindungikeluarga #elakkomplikasicovid19 ♬ PadaMu Kubersujud – Religi Islam – Afgan

According to Dr. Rusyainie Ramli, who is Senior Medical Officer in the Ministry of Defense (Mindef), this complication is what she fears the most.

Every single child I diagnosed with COVID-19, it started to make me anxious. When they just got infected, that was only one phase. The symptoms they experience make them whine, lose their appetite and become inactive. Even then, it would be a major problem, especially if they had symptoms involving the respiratory system.

Dr. Rusyainie Ramli on Covid-19 developing in children.

What exactly is MIS-C?

MIS-C is a type of inflammation that affects important organs such as:

  • Heart
  • Lungs
  • Kidney
  • Brain
  • Skin
  • Eyes
  • Digestive system

Thus, MIS-C is not to be taken lightly.

Dr. Rusyainie said the complications that can occur within 2-4 weeks after COVID-19 makes her even more worried and anxious.

According to Dr. Rusyainie, MIS-C usually occurs in children aged 3 to 12 years, with an average age of 8 years.

The Importance Of Covid-19 Vaccine For Children

With the recent high number of Covid-19 cases and more children being infected, Dr. Rafidah also called on parents to get the vaccine for their children.

This is because 1 in 3,200 children can get MIS-C when infected with Covid-19.

What is the guarantee that our children will not be a victim of Covid-19? And you won’t get MIS-C complications?

Dr. Rusyainie Ramli on Covid-19 developing in children and the risk of MIS-C complications.

Dr. Rusyainie added that it is very important for children to get vaccinated because unlike the parents, they have not completed a dose of the booster.

Children often go out and follow their parents for social activities, exposing them to Covid-19. If they have a chronic disease such as asthma or obesity, Covid-19 might have serious repercussions on them.

Dr. Rusyainie Ramli on chances of Covid-19 developing in children.

She pointed out that they do not have antibodies to fight Covid-19 that can be produced through vaccines.

As a result, they end up in ICUs which is worrisome and a burden for parents.

Dr. Rusyainie urged parents to protect their children from Covid-19 by giving them vaccines when they are old enough.

Malaysia kicked off its National Covid-19 Immunisation Program, or PICKids, for children aged five to 11 recently.

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the PICKids will further bolster the country’s high vaccination rate.

According to reports, the vaccination rate under PICKids was still under 10 percent. 

When To Seek Emergency Care

If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Pain or pressure in the chest that does not go away
  • Confusion or unusual behavior
  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Inability to wake or stay awake
  • Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone

This list does not include all possible symptoms. Please call a medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.

Call 999 or call ahead to your local emergency facility: Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have Covid-19.


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