Most parents have never heard about Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C), a dangerous condition related to COVID-19. That’s because children who test positive for the virus generally experience only low to mild symptoms. But for a 10-year-old boy from Shelby, Michigan he was the exception to the rule.
Within the span of two months, Dae-Shun Jamison had to go through four amputations after developing MIS-C. He first had his right leg amputated in January after an infection caused severe blood loss. A month later, doctors had to remove both hands and his remaining leg due to a lack of blood flow and damaged tissues.
The young boy’s misfortune happened during a time when Michigan’s Upper Peninsula turned into a COVID-19 hot spot with nearly 1,400 school children getting sick from the virus.
MIS-C is very rare. Only 80 such cases have been reported in Michigan. Doctors have no idea as to what causes MIS-C. The condition has been documented in children regardless of age, race or gender. After, a child first contracts COVID-19 and recovers, then MIS-C may develop.
One thing doctors do know is that MIS-C affects how blood clots and that some paediatric patients have also developed severe heart issues.
A Warning to Parents
Although Dae-Shun tested positive for coronavirus prior to developing MIS-C, he was asymptomatic. It wasn’t until two weeks later that his mom noticed that he wasn’t OK. “I noticed he started laying around. He said he had a headache and then the day before I took him in, the day I took him in, he had a high fever,” Dae-Shun’s mother Brittney Autman said.
Doctors warn parents to be extra vigilant. If your child previously tested positive for the virus, be on the lookout for the following symptoms : fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, neck pain, rash, bloodshot eyes, and feeling extra tired. Any parent with concern for MIS-C should contact their child’s doctor immediately for evaluation.
What Is MIS-C?
According to the CDC, MIS-C is a condition where different body parts can become inflamed, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs.
The CDC also recommends seeking emergency care right away if your child is showing any of these concerning signs:
- Trouble breathing
- Pain or pressure in the chest that does not go away
- New confusion
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin
- Severe abdominal pain
As of Feb 1, there have been over 2,000 reported MIS-C cases nationwide. The majority of MIS-C patients have been Hispanic/Latino (37%) and Non-Hispanic Black (32%), followed by Non-Hispanic White (22%).
Latest Update on The Young Michigan Boy
As of Feb 24, Jamison’s mother reported that her son “is doing good since his surgery.” The doctors have got “his pain under control now and last night he was finally able to sleep.” You can find Dae-Shun’s GoFundMe page here.
