Doctors in England are warning about new symptoms related to the coronavirus pandemic, or potentially a new virus, that is sending children into intensive care.
The British National Health Service warned over the weekend about a new syndrome that is causing symptoms similar to toxic shock and atypical Kawasaki disease in children, a serious condition that causes heart disease.
The British Paediatric Intensive Care Society shared the warning Sunday.
“Abdominal pain and gastrointestinal symptoms have been a common feature as has cardiac inflammation,” the notice from the National Health System said.
Children who have tested positive for the coronavirus and some who have tested negative are reportedly experiencing the symptoms.
“There is a growing concern that a SARS-CoV-2 related inflammatory syndrome emerging in children in the UK or that there may be another as yet unidentified infectious pathogen associated with these cases,” the notice says.
According to the British medical magazine GP, doctors in London received an “alert marked urgent” Monday morning about the symptoms.
The alert said the condition appears to be rare but pediatricians should look out for children with stomach pain, diarrhea “and rapid progress to a shock-like picture.”
Toxic shock symptoms include a high fever that comes on quickly, low blood pressure, diarrhea or vomiting, muscle aches, confusion, headache and seizures, according to The Mayo Clinic. It can also cause “a rash resembling a sunburn, particularly on your palms and soles.”
A very high fever is also one of the main symptoms of Kawasaki disease, according to The Mayo Clinic. Other early symptoms include dry, cracked lips, red eyes, swollen lymph nodes and red, swollen skin on the feet and hands.