Post coronavirus: An 11-year-old is hospitalized at Hillel Yaffe after being diagnosed with PIMS

Last week, Muhammad Mawassi, aged 11, from Baqa al-Gharbiyye, arrived at the Pediatric Emergency Medicine Unit at Hillel Yaffe Medical Center after feeling bad. He was suffering from a high fever, a rash, stomachaches, no appetite, general weakness, and low blood pressure. Dr. Renata Yacobov, a senior physician in the Department of Pediatrics, examined him in the Pediatric Emergency Medicine Unit, and immediately diagnosed that he was suffering from the post-coronavirus syndrome called PIMS. To verify her diagnosis, Dr. Yacobov asked for an urgent serologic test, which confirmed that Muhammad had indeed been sick with coronavirus (COVID-19), even though he had been unaware of the fact, and that he was suffering from post-coronavirus syndrome. Muhammad was treated, hospitalized for observation in the Pediatrics Department, and sent home in good condition.

Dr. Yacobov relates: “Muhammad came to us while suffering from a fever, borderline blood pressure, a rash, breathing difficulties, and acute stomachaches, and the blood tests showed high indicators of infection. We carried out urgent serologic tests, and, indeed, the test showed antibodies indicating that Muhammad had suffered previously from coronavirus, although, as noted, neither the child nor his parents had been aware of that. An electrocardiography test showed enlargement of the coronary arteries. Luckily, Muhammad came to the Emergency Room in time, and was given the optimal life-saving treatment.”

Muhammad Mawassi and Dr. Renata Yacobov in the Pediatrics Department at Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, before his release

Dr. Adi Klein, Director of the Department of Pediatrics at Hillel Yaffe, notes: “PIMS syndrome is a pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome which appears after coronavirus, and is characterized by fever, problems with various organs such as the heart, kidneys and digestive system to the point of their failure, blood coagulation disorders, as well as a rash and eye infection. While the syndrome is indeed rare, it can be dangerous, similar to Kawasaki disease, which can lead to the formation of a coronary artery aneurysm or even death.”

“I take this opportunity to call on parents to have heightened awareness, even if they don’t know about a case of coronavirus, and even more so if they do. Should symptoms of fever, a rash, stomachaches, and a general bad feeling develop, you need to come for immediate medical consultation,” adds Dr. Klein.