Although still relatively rare, MIS-C after COVID-19 has become more common and more severe than previously thought. A new study is raising critical questions.

A new study from the CDC is offering encouraging news for parents about preventing a debilitating condition caused by COVID in kids.

When children get COVID-19, they could face other serious health issues as a result, including what’s known multisystem inflammatory syndrome -- or MIS-C.

Hospitals in Jacksonville are reporting an increase in cases of MIS-C, a rare inflammatory condition linked to COVID-19 that is found in children. On New Year’s Day, cases of COVID-19 surged in Florida and stayed high until mid-January. In January, Wolfson Children’s Hospital went from zero cases of MIS-C to three diagnosed patients with the rare illness. “After every observed upsurge in COVID infections in the community, we saw an increased number of cases,” Rathore said. In 99 percent of cases, the patient tested positive for COVID-19 and in 1 percent, patients were found to be around someone with COVID-19.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Data released by the state health department Tuesday indicate that 65 pediatric patients in Florida have been diagnosed with a rare but serious condition that develops in some children who have tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19. Also, Florida was just one of nine states that as of Thursday had more than 30 cases of the condition, officially called Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children or MIS-C, according to a federal report. A majority of those cases are in South Florida with three reported cases in Duval County, ranging in age from 4 to 16 years old, and one reported case in Clay County. Nationwide, 792 cases of MIS-C had been reported in 42 states, New York City and Washington D.C. Meanwhile, 14 of the 65 Florida cases included in the state pediatric report did not have diagnosis dates for MIS-C, which results in inflammation of organs such as hearts, lungs, kidneys, eyes and gastrointestinal organs.

When a series of MIS-C patients in New York were given the COVID-19 antibody test, about 87% of them tested positive, Gayle said. Like MIS-C, Kawasaki disease causes things like rash, bloodshot eyes and vomiting, but only MIS-C is associated with COVID-19 exposure. While COVID-19 affects the elderly and those with weaker immune systems at higher rates, MIS-C can affect any child, even one who is totally healthy otherwise. Wolfson Childrens is specially prepared to handle this condition since it can affect multiple systems of the body and require a team of pediatric expert physicians to treat your child, Gayle said. For questions about COVID-19 or MIS-C symptoms, call 904.302.5050.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. At Memorial Hospitals pediatric emergency room on Thursday, nurses screened visitors and patients at the entrance. We are taking unprecedented measures to make sure that this place is safe, said Dr. Megan Brown, Pediatric Emergency Department Director. When people enter the hospital, nurses are asking a few health questions, taking temperatures and providing a mandatory mask. But, due to the coronavirus pandemic, Brown said visits to the pediatric ER are down 50% to 70%. Its worrisome because you figure people who really need to come here are afraid to so theyre not, explained Brown.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. The chief of infectious diseases at Wolfson Childrens Hospital said on Wednesday that they are investigating several suspected cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, or MIS-C.Floridas surgeon general has acknowledged that the syndrome that attacks children and is associated with COVID-19 has surfaced in Florida. Dr. Mobeen Rathore told News4Jax that Wolfson is investigating 12 suspected cases. Rathore said the illness can be serious, but pointed out that most children will recover. The state surgeon general is asking hospitals who see cases of the inflammatory disorder to contact the health department. Dr. Rathore is reminding parents, if their children are sick -- even if its not MIS-C related -- to visit a pediatrician.