These new symptoms have been added for the COVID-19 syndrome affecting children

Healthcare professionals say the children are being treated for a form of toxic shock syndrome which can result in an inflammation of the heart.

Although rare, the condition is serious as all of the children to present with symptoms were admitted to intensive care units throughout the UK.

At least one of the children had to receive extra corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) - a treatment given to patients who are unable to breathe for themselves.

New symptoms that parents and doctors should be on the look out for are the same as one might see in a child with sepsis.

These new symptoms include:

- Fever/high temperature.

- Cold hands and feet.

- Clammy and pale skin.

- Shortness of breath.

- Fast breathing.

- Fast heart rate.

- Confusion, dizziness or disorientation.

Dr Sanjay Patel, a consultant in paediatric infectious diseases at Southampton Children's Hospital, parents should not be unduly worried but explained why it was important for medical professionals to be aware of the emerging condition.

"The symptoms are very like sepsis," said Dr. Patel.

"The treatment for this suspected new syndrome and the treatment for sepsis are two very different things so that's why it's important that doctors managing the health of children are aware of this, " he added.

"It's also important for parents to know that should their child become ill with this condition there are extremely effective treatments for it," he said.

Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, said he was 'very worried' about the emergence of the disease.

"I am very worried about the early signs that in rare cases there is an impact of an auto-immune response in children that causes significant disease," Mr. Hancock told LBC.

"We put out at the weekend a call across the NHS because some cases of this had been identified."

Mr. Hancock added: "This call says to doctors in other parts of the country 'have you seen this condition?'

"Then they collate the information and find out what is going on."

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