Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C): Report of the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of cases in Santiago de Chile during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

•Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children affects young Chilean patients.•Gastrointestinal symptoms and altered inflammation parameters predominate.•Although intensive care was needed, favorable clinical outcomes were achieved.•Cases appeared in clusters in the most vulnerable areas of Santiago.•Clinical teams must be alert during the weeks after COVID-19 cases rise significantly. To describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of hospitalized children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) in Santiago, Chile. This was an observational study of children with MIS-C (May 1 to June 24, 2020), in three pediatric hospitals in Santiago. Demographic characteristics and epidemiological data, medical history, laboratory tests, cardiology evaluations, treatment, and clinical outcomes were analyzed. Twenty-seven patients were admitted (median age 6, range 0–14 years). Sixteen of the 27 (59%) required intensive care unit admission; there were no deaths. Seventy-four percent had no comorbidities, and the median number of days of symptoms before admission was 4 (range 2–9 days). Gastrointestinal symptoms were the most frequent, and inflammatory markers were increased at admission. A recent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection was detected in 82% of cases. The severe group showed significantly lower hemoglobin and albumin levels, decreased platelet counts, and higher d-dimer during disease evolution. Echocardiography showed abnormalities (myocardial, pericardial, or coronary) in 12 patients (46%) during their hospital stay. Anti-inflammatory treatment (immunoglobulin and/or corticosteroids) was prescribed in 24 patients. MIS-C appeared in clusters weeks after the peak of SARS-CoV-2 cases, especially in the most vulnerable areas of Santiago. This study describes the first series (n = 27) of children with MIS-C in a Latin American country, showing favorable clinical outcomes. Education and alerts are required for clinical teams to establish an early diagnosis and prompt treatment.