The Role of Platelets in Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) Severity Prediction in PICU, Benha University Hospitals

Background: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a cytokine storm syndrome linked to COVID-19. MIS-C is still a diagnostic and clinical problem despite of the numerous suggested diagnostic criteria. Objective: To study the role of platelet in the prediction of MIS-C severity in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), Benha University Hospital. Methodology: Seventy-one children with MIS-C were included in the retrospective analysis. The included children were categorized into Group A (n=47) and present mild cases of MIS-C severity while group B included severe cases. The composite severity score was used to assess the severity. The platelet indices were used to predict the severi Results: The mean age of the included children was 7.3±2.9 and 8.9±3.1 years in groups A and B, respectively, with a male predominance in both groups. No statistically significant different clinical presentation between both groups including gastrointestinal, respiratory, or cardiac presentation. Only shock was evident significant in Group B (P=0.037*). A severe course of MIS-C was predicted by various marker combinations. It was quite clear that PLT, MPV, PCT, and PDW worked together to predict the severity of MIS-C. Conclusion: PLTs have a predictive role in detecting the severity of MIS-C by describing clinical and laboratory markers linked to MIS-C severity. It may be possible to anticipate the severity of MIS-C by using PLTs measures in standard laboratory procedures.