ACR Releases COVID-19 Clinical Guidance for Pediatric Patients

The ACR has developed two new clinical guidance documents for pediatric patients in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, including for the care of children with pediatric rheumatic disease, and for the management of inflammatory syndromes in children with recent or concurrent infections with SARS-CoV-2, specifically Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) and hyperinflammation during COVID-19.

The recommendations for pediatric rheumatology patients address various treatment options and provide general guidance, as well as direction for when to start, stop, or reduce medications. For MIS-C, the recommendations focus on general guidance, diagnostic evaluation and therapy options, as well as comparing and contrasting the features of MIS-C and Kawasaki Disease. For hyperinflammation in COVID-19, the recommendations also focus on general guidance, as well as immunomodulatory treatment.

All recommendations are based on current knowledge and will be revised as circumstances and evidence evolve.

• Clinical Guidance for Pediatric Patients with Rheumatic Disease Summary
• Clinical Guidance for Pediatric Patients with MIS-C Associated with SARS-CoV-2 and Hyperinflammation Summary