Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C): A clinical and research overview in the framework of a personalized medicine approach

Abstract

Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) is a rare but severe pediatric condition first identified in Europe and the United States in early 2020, following initial reports from the United Kingdom and Italy. Also known as Pediatric Inflammatory Multisystem Syndrome Temporally Associated with SARS-CoV-2 (PIMS-TS), MIS-C was rapidly recognized as a delayed, potentially life-threatening complication arising after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Unlike acute COVID-19, which is often mild or asymptomatic in children, MIS-C is characterized by a pronounced hyperinflammatory response, with symptoms typically appearing two to five weeks after the initial infection. The syndrome has raised major concern due to its potential for rapid clinical deterioration and severe multi-organ involvement, particularly affecting the cardiovascular system.

Over the past five years, a growing body of research has substantially advanced our understanding of MIS-C, encompassing its pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical presentation, diagnostic criteria, treatment strategies, and long-term outcomes. In view of the persistent epidemiology of COVID-19, this article synthesizes current knowledge within the framework of a personalized medicine approach, highlights recent insights from advanced peer-reviewed studies, and underscores the need for tailored therapeutic strategies to optimize patient care.