Since the pandemic began, three people have died in Arizona as a result of a rare COVID-related illness in children, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services.
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A representative from ADHS told ABC15 that they have received reports of three confirmed deaths related to childhood multisystem inflammatory syndrome, or MIS-C. Citing privacy concerns, the agency would not release further details.
MIS-C is a very rare but serious condition that affects some children a few weeks after a COVID-19 infection or exposure.
A Valley mom, Reanna Milliman, told ABC15 that her 8-year-old daughter Raelynn was recently released from hospital after spending more than two weeks in the ICU for MIS-C.
“She’s just getting so much better and she’s happy,” said Milliman.
That wasn’t the case in March, when Milliman said fever and fatigue escalated and her daughter began to suffer from severe gastrointestinal issues that landed Raelynn in intensive care.
“It was extremely difficult for a mother to talk to the surgeon and tell them to remove her entire colon,” she said.
Fortunately, Raelynn did not have to have the surgery, although she has also dealt with blood clots and now visits doctors regularly while she recovers.
The Arizona Department of Health Services told ABC15 that there are 116 confirmed MIS-C cases in Arizona.
“Every time we had an increase in COVID-19 cases, that increase in COVID-19 cases was followed by an increase in MIS-C cases,” says Dr. Wassim Ballan, pediatric infectious disease specialist at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
Dr. Ballan said a fever is a key part of an MIS-C diagnosis, but other symptoms can include abdominal pain, vomiting, a rash, or pink eye.
“Having a fever is a normal thing,” said Dr. Ballan. “That doesn’t mean we should be super concerned about MIS-C every time a child has a fever. But it’s certainly something to keep in mind while we’re dealing with the pandemic, especially if one is known. [COVID-19] exposure that happened beforehand. “
Milliman, whose daughter was treated at another hospital in Valley, said Raelynn is doing much better, but she still has an unclear path as she recovers.
“Now she can eat normally and play and laugh normally,” said Milliman. “At the hospital, the doctors told me this is one of the worst cases they’ve seen.”
Although it is a rare condition, Milliman hopes to raise awareness among other parents.
“Just be aware of those signs and don’t take them lightly,” she said.
Milliman still has a GoFundMe account to help her daughter, which you can find HERE.