Children with post COVID-19 multisystem inflammatory syndrome display unique pathophysiological metabolic phenotypes
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infections in children lead to symptoms from mild respiratory illness to severe postacute sequelae of COVID-19, including multisystem inflammatory syndrome in Children (MIS-C). We conducted a metabolic profiling of 147 children’s serum samples, including acute COVID-19 patients, MIS-C patients, and healthy controls. Using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry, we measured 1101 metabolites. The results revealed distinct metabolic profiles in acute COVID-19 and MIS-C patients, with significant alterations in lipid classes. Both conditions exhibited an elevated Apo-B100/Apo-A1 ratio and increased serum inflammatory markers. MIS-C patients showed unique disruptions, including increased triglycerides and altered lipoprotein composition. Despite milder clinical respiratory symptoms, children’s metabolic disturbances mirrored those seen in severe adult COVID-19 patients, indicating a shared inflammatory response to SARS-CoV-2. This suggests potential long-term health impacts, underscoring the need for continued research into the metabolic consequences of COVID-19 in children.
Date Issued
2025-07-04
Date Acceptance
2025-05-29
Citation
Journal of Proteome Research, 2025, 24 (7), pp.3470-3483
ISSN
1535-3893
Publisher
American Chemical Society (ACS)
Start Page
3470
End Page
3483
Journal / Book Title
Journal of Proteome Research
Volume
24
Issue
7
Copyright Statement
© 2025 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society. This publication is licensed under CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Identifier
10.1021/acs.jproteome.5c00062
Subjects
SARS-CoV-2
inflammation
hyper-inflammation
lipids
lipoproteins
mass spectrometry
nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
phenoconversion pubs.acs.org/jpr Article
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2025-06-09