Doctors in the UK have been sent an "urgent alert" about an increasing number of children becoming severely ill with symptoms that may be linked to the coronavirus.
In a letter from the NHS, doctors were warned of a rise in children of all ages presenting with a “multi-system inflammatory state requiring intensive care” over the past three weeks.
It notes that there is “growing concern” that a coronavirus-related inflammatory syndrome is emerging in children in the UK, or that there may be another infectious pathogen associated with the cases.
NHS England national medical director of NHS England Professor Stephen Powis said the issue was being looked into as a “matter of urgency” but cautioned that it is too early to establish a link to the virus.
He said the cases are “very, very rare.”
The country’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Professor Chris Whitty said the possibility of a link between COVID-19 and the severe illness in children was “certainly plausible.”
The Paediatric Intensive Care Society (PICS) said the cases have overlapping features of toxic shock syndrome (TSS) or atypical Kawasaki Disease.
TSS is a severe illness brought on by bacterial toxins while Kawasaki Disease mainly affects children under the age of five and symptoms include a rash, swollen neck glands, dry, cracked lips, red fingers or toes and red eyes.
Kawasaki Disease causes the blood vessels to become inflamed and swollen which can lead to coronary arteries.
Parents who are concerned about their children are being urged to contact their doctor, the NHS or, in an emergency, dial 999.
