The girl previously had contracted COVID-19 and exhibited symptoms of pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome (PIMS), an illness thought to be related to the coronavirus. She was hospitalized earlier this week at Randall Children’s Hospital.
The Oregon Health Authority said the case was the first of its kind in Oregon. Cases of the pediatric ailment have also been documented in Washington, California, Connecticut and New York, where some children have died from the condition. The condition is thought to affect children who have contracted the coronavirus.
“This syndrome appears to be an uncommon but serious complication of COVID-19 in children,” said Dr. Paul Cieslak, Oregon’s medical director for communicable diseases.
A spokesperson for the Legacy Emanuel hospital system, which operates the children’s hospital, confirmed the girl’s diagnosis.
KPTV first reported the possible case Tuesday. The Portland Business Journal identified the patient Wednesday as a 14-year-old girl who showed signs of the condition May 9 and remains in the hospital’s intensive care unit.
According to the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, symptoms are not always obvious, but can include reddish or pink eyes, an enlarged lymph node, unexplained abdominal pain or swollen hands and feet.
Thirty children younger than 10 have contracted the coronavirus in Oregon, according to state public health officials. Another 110 young people between the ages of 10 and 19 have also been infected.
A doctor told KPTV the patient at Randall Children’s Hospital had red eyes, was very tired and was weak due to low blood pressure.
Doctors say PIMS is not contagious, but if parents think their child has it, they should contact their pediatrician immediately.
Coronavirus in Oregon: Latest news | Live map tracker |Text alerts | Newsletter
This story has been updated.
Molly Young of The Oregonian/OregonLive contributed to this report.
—Jayati Ramakrishnan; 503-221-4320; [email protected]; @JRamakrishnanOR
Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories.
Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission.
