Kawasaki Vs MIS-C

Introduction

The emergence of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) during the COVID-19 pandemic presented a significant diagnostic challenge for pediatricians worldwide due to its striking phenotypic resemblance to Kawasaki Disease (KD). Both conditions are characterized by persistent fever, systemic hyperinflammation, and mucocutaneous manifestations. However, as the understanding of MIS-C has evolved, distinct epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory patterns have emerged that allow clinicians to differentiate between these two entities. Distinguishing them is critical, as the management strategies—particularly regarding the use of corticosteroids and anticoagulation—and the prognosis, especially regarding myocardial function and coronary artery outcomes, differ significantly.

This comparative analysis delineates the key differences between Kawasaki Disease and MIS-C, focusing on epidemiology, clinical presentation, organ system involvement, and laboratory profiles.

Epidemiological Distinctions

Age Distribution One of the most robust differentiating factors is the age of onset. Kawasaki Disease is classically a disease of young children and infants. The majority of KD cases (approximately 80%) occur in children under the age of 5 years, with a median age of approximately 2 years. In contrast, MIS-C predominantly affects older children and adolescents. The median age for MIS-C is consistently reported between 8 and 11 years, with a significant number of cases occurring in teenagers, an age group where KD is historically rare. While MIS-C can occur in infants (MIS-N) and young adults (MIS-A), the school-aged demographic represents the peak incidence.

Racial and Ethnic Predisposition Kawasaki Disease exhibits a well-documented predilection for children of East Asian descent (Japanese, Korean, Chinese), suggesting a genetic susceptibility in these populations. Conversely, surveillance data from the United States and Europe indicate that MIS-C disproportionately affects children of African, Afro-Caribbean, and Hispanic ancestry. While this may partly reflect the higher community transmission rates of COVID-19 in these populations due to socioeconomic factors, the racial divergence from the classic KD demographic is clinically relevant.

Clinical Divergence

Fever and Onset Both conditions share the hallmark of unremitting fever. In KD, fever persisting for at least 5 days is a classic diagnostic criterion (though experienced clinicians may diagnose "incomplete KD" earlier). In MIS-C, the definition requires fever ≥38.0°C for at least 24 hours, though most patients present with fever lasting 3 to 5 days. The fever in MIS-C is often higher grade and more resistant to antipyretics in the acute phase compared to typical viral illnesses, but the duration requirement is less stringent than the classic 5-day criterion for KD.

Gastrointestinal Involvement A defining clinical signature of MIS-C is the prominence of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. Approximately 80-90% of children with MIS-C present with severe abdominal pain, vomiting, or diarrhea. The abdominal pain can be so intense that it mimics an acute surgical abdomen, leading to misdiagnoses of appendicitis or mesenteric adenitis. In contrast, while GI symptoms can occur in KD, they are typically mild and not the primary complaint. The presence of severe GI distress in a febrile child with inflammation strongly points towards MIS-C over KD.

Shock and Hemodynamics Kawasaki Shock Syndrome (KSS), defined as KD presenting with hypotension and hypoperfusion, is a rare entity, occurring in less than 5% of KD cases. In stark contrast, shock is a defining feature of severe MIS-C. Studies indicate that 50-80% of MIS-C patients present with hypotension requiring fluid resuscitation and vasoactive support (inotropes/vasopressors). The shock in MIS-C is often distributive (vasoplegic) or cardiogenic in nature, reflecting the underlying myocardial dysfunction and cytokine storm, whereas shock in KD is exceptional.

Mucocutaneous Manifestations The classic criteria for KD (CRASH and Burn: Conjunctivitis, Rash, Adenopathy, Strawberry tongue, Hand/foot changes) are present in MIS-C but often in an incomplete or atypical fashion.

• Conjunctivitis: Both conditions present with non-purulent bulbar conjunctivitis. In KD, this is usually bilateral and painless. In MIS-C, the conjunctival injection may be less prominent or transient compared to KD.
• Rash: Both conditions present with a polymorphic rash.
• Mucosal Changes: "Strawberry tongue" and cracked lips are seen in both, but are hallmark "textbook" features of KD.
• Extremity Changes: Edema and erythema of the hands and feet are classic in the acute phase of KD and are followed by periungual desquamation in the subacute phase. While observed in MIS-C, these findings are less consistent.

Cardiovascular Pathophysiology

Myocardial Dysfunction vs. Coronary Arteritis The pattern of cardiac involvement provides a crucial distinction.

• Kawasaki Disease: The primary cardiovascular complication is coronary artery vasculitis, leading to dilation and aneurysms. Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) occurs but is usually subclinical and transient. Left ventricular (LV) systolic function is typically preserved or only mildly depressed.
• MIS-C: The predominant cardiac lesion is acute myocarditis causing significant LV dysfunction (depressed ejection fraction). While coronary artery dilation occurs in MIS-C (9-24% of cases), giant aneurysms are rarer than in KD. The coronary involvement in MIS-C is often transient and related to vasodilation from the hyperinflammatory state rather than the destructive vasculitis seen in KD. Furthermore, ventricular dysfunction in MIS-C tends to recover rapidly (within days to weeks), whereas coronary aneurysms in KD can result in long-term stenosis and thrombosis.

Laboratory Profiles

Hematology: The Platelet Paradox The complete blood count offers one of the most reliable differentiating features.

• Platelets: KD is characteristically associated with thrombocytosis (high platelet count), particularly in the second week of illness (subacute phase). In contrast, MIS-C is associated with thrombocytopenia (low platelet count), likely due to consumption coagulopathy and bone marrow suppression driven by the cytokine storm. A platelet count <150,000/μL strongly favors MIS-C in the correct clinical context.
• Lymphocytes: MIS-C is characterized by profound lymphopenia (low lymphocyte count), a feature shared with severe acute COVID-19. In KD, the lymphocyte count is typically normal or only mildly decreased.
• Neutrophils: Both conditions exhibit neutrophilia, but it tends to be more marked in MIS-C with a shift to immature forms.

Inflammatory and Coagulation Markers While both conditions are hyperinflammatory states with elevated CRP and ESR, the magnitude and pattern differ.

• Ferritin: Marked elevation of ferritin (often >500-1000 ng/mL) is highly characteristic of MIS-C, resembling Macrophage Activation Syndrome (MAS). In KD, ferritin is elevated but usually to a lesser degree.
• D-Dimer: Elevated D-dimer is a hallmark of the coagulopathy seen in COVID-19 and MIS-C. While elevated in the acute phase of KD, the levels in MIS-C are often disproportionately high (>3000 ng/mL), reflecting active coagulopathy and endothelial injury.

Cardiac Biomarkers

• Troponin and BNP/NT-proBNP: These markers of myocardial injury and stress are significantly more elevated in MIS-C compared to KD. The massive elevation of BNPs in MIS-C correlates with the high prevalence of ventricular dysfunction and shock, which is less common in classic KD.

Viral Serology

• SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies: By definition, MIS-C requires evidence of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection. Most patients (approx. 99%) are positive for SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies (nucleocapsid or spike protein), indicating past infection 2-6 weeks prior. KD patients typically do not show this specific serological pattern unless coincidental infection has occurred.

Comparative Table: Kawasaki Disease vs. MIS-C