Children with Post COVID-19 Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome Display Unique Pathophysiological Metabolic Phenotypes
SARS-CoV-2 infections in children lead to symptoms from mild respiratory illness to severe postacute sequelae of COVID-19, including multisystem inflammatory syndrome in Children (MIS-C). We conducted a metabolic profiling of 147 children's serum samples, including acute COVID-19 patients, MIS-C patients, and healthy controls. Using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, we measured 1101 metabolites. The results revealed distinct metabolic profiles in acute COVID-19 and MIS-C patients, with significant alterations in lipid classes. Both conditions exhibited an elevated Apo-B100/Apo-A1 ratio and increased serum inflammatory markers. MIS-C patients showed unique disruptions, including increased triglycerides and altered lipoprotein composition. Despite milder clinical respiratory symptoms, children's metabolic disturbances mirrored those seen in severe adult COVID-19 patients, indicating a shared inflammatory response to SARS-CoV-2. This suggests potential long-term health impacts, underscoring the need for continued research into the metabolic consequences of COVID-19 in children.
Authors
- Jeremy K. Nicholson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8123-8349)
- Lael M. Yonker (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1711-8227)
- Luke Whiley (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9088-4799)
- Philipp Nitschke (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5814-7529)
- Julien Wist (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3416-2572)
- Elaine Holmes (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0556-8389)
- Nicola Gray (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0094-5245)
- Maureen M. Leonard (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5955-5102)
- Reika Masuda (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4891-7830)
- Nathan G. Lawler (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9649-425X)
- Samantha Lodge (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9193-0462)
- Alessio Fasano
Institutions
- Harvard University (US)
- Murdoch University (AU)
- Massachusetts General Hospital (US)
- Division of Chemistry (US)
- Imperial College London (GB)
- Universidad del Valle (CO)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Proteome Research
- Published
- 2025-06-09
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jproteome.5c00062
- Citations
- 5
- Primary Topic
- COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 6.98
Funders
- Australian Research Council
- Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation, Government of Western Australia
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases