Emergency Department, ICU and Inpatient Clinical Pathway for
Evaluation of Possible Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C)

Related Pathways
ED Evaluation for Possible Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C)
Clinical/Historical Features to Guide Need for Evaluation:
  • Rash (more common)
    • Polymorphic, maculopapular, petechial, NOT vesicular
  • GI Symptoms (more common)
    • Diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting
  • Extremity changes
    • Erythema and edema of the hands and feet in acute phase
  • Oral Mucosal Changes
    • Erythema and cracking of lips, strawberry tongue, and/or erythema of oral and pharyngeal mucosa
  • Conjunctivitis (more common)
    • May be bulbar or limbic-involving, without exudate
  • Lymphadenopathy (less common)
    • Cervical > 1.5 cm, unilateral (infrequently observed)
  • Neurologic Symptoms
    • Headache, irritability, lethargy, altered mental status, neck stiffness, cranial nerve palsies
  • Epidemiologic Link to COVID
    • Patient with history of COVID disease or close contact with known Positive COVID case in past 4-6 weeks, or person placed in quarantine
Evaluation for Possible MIS-C in a stable patient
Suspected MIS-C with Shock
Fever/history of fever ≥ 38.0°C for ≥ 3 days
+
≥ 2 Clinical /Historical Features OR strong clinical suspicion with shorter fever duration

Review Kawasaki Pathway
Fever/history of fever ≥ 38.0°C for ≥ 1 day
+
Evidence of myocardial dysfunction or
Hypotension/vasopressor requirement
+
≥ 2 Clinical/Historical Features
Initial Laboratory Testing
  • CBC, CMP, CRP, ESR
  • Other testing as clinically indicated to identify cause of fever, based on clinical features
  • Sepsis Pathway — Use ED Sepsis Order Set
  • Additional Diagnostic Laboratory Studies
    • Add COVID PCR, RRP, Troponin, BNP, D-dimer, Ferritin, Save Our Specimen, ECG
  • Fluid Resuscitation, Vasopressors
  • Antibiotics
  • Echo as clinically indicated
Labs and Physical
Exam Reassuring
Labs or exam concerning but inconsistent with MIS-C
  • CRP ≥ 3 mg/dL   and/or
  • ESR ≥ 40 mm/hr
  • AND
  • Lymphopenia < 1k   or
  • Thrombocytopenia < 150k   or
  • Na < 135   or
  • Abnormal creatinine for age
Admit to Inpatient
Consider Further Evaluation
Admit to PICU
  • Additional ancillary labs:
    • Troponin, BNP, EKG
    • Save our specimen
    • ECG, COVID-PCR
  • Cardiology Consultation if:
    • For review of abnormal ECG
    • Abnormal BNP, troponin
    • Concerns on PE
  • Consider culture, antibiotics
    Note:
    Patients likely to have MIS-C can deteriorate rapidly despite fluid resuscitation, consider PICU admit for pts requiring > 40-60 mL/kg to achieve VS stability
Discharge
Admit to SIU/Inpatient for Further Evaluation if abnormal labs or other concerning features
  • Tolerates PO
  • Reassuring PE
  • PCP follow-up 24-48 hrs
Note:

Guidance is based on expert consensus. As this guidance will evolve, consider ID, Rheumatology, Dysregulated Immune Response Team and Critical Care Medicine consultation for individualized recommendations for suspected cases.

Posted: May 2020
Revised: July 2021
Authors: K. Chiotos, MD; D. Corwin, MD; L. Sartori, MD; M. Congdon, MD; J. Lavelle, MD; S. Swami, MD; J. Burnham, MD; H. Bassiri, MD; A. John, MD; F. Balamuth, MD; K. Cohn, MD; M. Blackstone, MD; J. Callahan, MD; V. Kampalath, MD; R. Rempell, MD; M. Elias, MD; T. Giglia, MD; C. Witmer, MD; D. Davis, MD; C. Kerman, MD; D. Whitney, MD; E. Behrens, MD; D. Teachey, MD; C. Jacobstein, MD