Cardiac markers of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) in COVID-19 patients: A meta-analysis

Am J Emerg Med. 2021 Nov:49:62-70. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2021.05.044. Epub 2021 May 18.

Abstract

Objective: A meta-analysis of laboratory cardiac markers for multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) was performed in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methods: Eight databases were searched until April 10, 2021, for studies on cardiac markers, including B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP)/N-terminal pro-BNP (NT-proBNP), troponin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), in MIS-C patients.

Results: Of the 2583 participants enrolled in 24 studies, 1613 patients were diagnosed with MIS-C. MIS-C patients exhibited higher BNP levels than patients with non-severe COVID-19 [SMD (95% CI): 1.13 (0.48, 1.77), p < 0.05]. No significant differences in BNP levels were observed between patients with MIS-C and severe COVID-19 [SMD (95% CI): 0.29 (-0.07, 0.65), p = 0.117]. Comparisons of MIS-C patients to all COVID-19 patients revealed no significant differences in levels of troponin [SMD (95% CI): 0.13 (-0.07, 0.32), p = 0.212] or AST [SMD (95% CI): 0.10 (-0.11, 0.31), p = 0.336]. Compared to patients with non-severe MIS-C, those with severe MIS-C exhibited higher levels of BNP [SMD (95% CI): 0.26 (0.04, 0.48), p < 0.05], but no differences in troponin [SMD (95% CI): 0.05 (-0.06, 0.16) p = 0.387] or AST [SMD (95% CI): 0.19 (-0.34, 0.71), p = 0.483] were observed. Moreover, there was no significant difference in BNP [SMD (95% CI): -0.21 (-1.07, 0.64), p = 0.624] or troponin [SMD (95% CI): -0.07 (-0.45, 0.31), p = 0.710] between MIS-C with and without coronary artery abnormality. Sensitivity analyses were performed to assess stability. No publication bias was detected based on Begg's test.

Conclusions: The key cardiac marker that showed differences between patients with MIS-C/non-severe COVID-19 and between patients with severe/non-severe MIS-C was BNP. Other markers, such as troponin and AST, did not exhibit notable differences in indicating cardiac injury between patients with MIS-C and COVID-19.

Keywords: BNP; COVID-19; Children; Meta-analysis; PMIS/PIMS-TS/MIS-C; Troponin.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases / blood
  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • COVID-19 / blood
  • COVID-19 / complications*
  • COVID-19 / diagnosis
  • COVID-19 / pathology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / blood*
  • Peptide Fragments / blood*
  • SARS-CoV-2 / immunology*
  • Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome / blood*
  • Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome / pathology
  • Troponin / blood

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Troponin
  • pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76)
  • Natriuretic Peptide, Brain
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases

Supplementary concepts

  • pediatric multisystem inflammatory disease, COVID-19 related