BACKGROUND: : Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) associated 
with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an emerging condition that was first 
identified in paediatrics at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The condition 
is also known as pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally 
associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (PIMS-TS or 
PIMS), and multiple definitions have been established for this condition that 
share overlapping features with Kawasaki Disease and toxic shock syndrome.
METHODS: : A review was conducted to identify literature describing the 
epidemiology of MIS-C, published up until March 9, 2021. A database established 
at the Public Health Agency of Canada with COVID-19 literature was searched for 
articles referencing MIS-C, PIMS or Kawasaki Disease in relation to COVID-19.
RESULTS: : A total of 195 out of 988 articles were included in the review. The 
median age of MIS-C patients was between seven and 10 years of age, although 
children of all ages (and adults) can be affected. Multisystem inflammatory 
syndrome in children disproportionately affected males (58% patients), and Black 
and Hispanic children seem to be at an elevated risk for developing MIS-C. 
Roughly 62% of MIS-C patients required admission to an intensive care unit, with 
one in five patients requiring mechanical ventilation. Between 0% and 2% of 
MIS-C patients died, depending on the population and available interventions.
CONCLUSION: : Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children can affect children 
of all ages. A significant proportion of patients required intensive care unit 
and mechanical ventilation and 0%-2% of cases resulted in fatalities. More 
evidence is needed on the role of race, ethnicity and comorbidities in the 
development of MIS-C.