Diagnostic Markers of Severe COVID-19 and Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Children From Southern India

COVID-19 severely impacts children in India, with many developing severe pneumonia or multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C). Concurrently, non-COVID-19 respiratory viruses causing community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) have resurged. These conditions present similarly, challenging accurate diagnosis. This study aims to compare inflammatory markers and clinical parameters in children with severe COVID-19 pneumonia, non-COVID-19 CAP, and COVID-associated MIS-C. We assessed 12 mediators in serum from 14 children with severe COVID-19 pneumonia, 16 with severe non-COVID-19 CAP, and 9 with MIS-C. Clinical characteristics and routine laboratory findings at admission were recorded. Children with MIS-C had significantly higher levels of IL-1RA, IL-8, and TNF compared with those with severe COVID-19 pneumonia; and higher levels of CCL2, HGF, M-CSF, and IL-8 compared with severe non-COVID-19 CAP. GROα levels tended to be higher in severe COVID-19 pneumonia. Clinical presentations were similar, but MIS-C patients had distinct laboratory findings, including lower platelet counts and albumin levels, and higher creatinine and liver enzyme levels. MIS-C exhibited a unique inflammatory profile. IL-8 emerged as a potential biomarker for MIS-C, while increased GROα levels in severe COVID-19 pneumonia merit further exploration. Combining inflammatory markers with routine laboratory parameters may improve the diagnosis and differentiation of these conditions, enhancing patient management.