Cytokine Storm Syndromes in Pediatric Patients

Abstract

Cytokine storm syndromes (CSS) represent a diverse group of disorders characterized by severe overactivation of the immune system. In the majority of patients, CSS arise from a combination of host factors, including genetic risk and predisposing conditions, and acute triggers such as infections. CSS present differently in adults than in children, who are more likely to present with monogenic forms of these disorders. Individual CSS are rare, but in aggregate represent an important cause of severe illness in both children and adults. We present 3 rare, illustrative cases of CSS in pediatric patients that describe the spectrum of CSS.

Keywords: COVID-19; Cytokines; MIS-C; Macrophage activation syndrome; SARS-CoV-2; Thrombotic microangiopathy.