NHS doctors issue 'urgent' nationwide 'alert' as number of children infected with new Coronavirus related syndrome rises

The alert was issued to GPs and intensive care doctors treating children across the UK at the weekend.

One GP described the syndrome as a "rapidly progressing serious problem and chances are it is coronavirus but it's too early to say".

The number of children affected is relatively low but healthcare professionals say it is important GPs and other health workers are aware that syndrome could be a COVID-19 age specific condition.

The Paediatric Intensive Care Society (PICS) broadcast the warning to a much wider audience on social media on Sunday.

The alert reads: "Over the last three weeks, there has been an apparent rise in the number of children of all ages presenting with a multisystem inflammatory state requiring intensive care across London and also in other regions of the UK.

"The cases have in common overlapping features of toxic shock syndrome and atypical Kawasaki Disease with blood parameters consistent with severe COVID-19 in children.

It adds: “There is a growing concern that a [COVID-19] related inflammatory syndrome is emerging in children in the UK, or that there may be another, as yet unidentified, infectious pathogen associated with these cases.”

PICS added that it was vitally important that all paedeatritions as well as anesthetists and adult intensive care workers who "may be involved in the management of sick children" are aware of the condition.

The alert was first issued to doctors last week in which they were instructed to "please refer children presenting with these symptoms as a matter of urgency".

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