No parent ever wishes to see their child in pain, but two Singaporean families experienced just that when their young sons developed severe Covid-19 complications. Both boys, Muhammad Ali Zafir Mohamed Azmi and Lucas*, were diagnosed with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), a condition that causes inflammation in various organs after a Covid-19 infection.
Lucas was among the first to be diagnosed with MIS-C in Singapore in late 2021. After suffering a high fever and rashes, doctors initially suspected Kawasaki disease or hand, foot, and mouth disease. However, after further tests, it was revealed that Lucas had been infected with Covid-19, and the virus had triggered MIS-C. He was rushed to the ICU when his condition worsened, enduring painful treatments and a long recovery period.
Similarly, four-year-old Ali faced a rapid deterioration in his health after recovering from Covid-19. Within a day of hospitalization, he was transferred to the ICU and placed on a ventilator, requiring 12 different medications. His parents, Marilyn and Azmi, feared the worst as they watched their son struggle to survive. While Ali is now home, he remains on daily medication and must avoid stress and injuries as his recovery continues.
Both families emphasize the importance of child vaccination to prevent similar situations. They urge parents to consider vaccinating their children to protect them from potential Covid-19 complications like MIS-C. Dr. Kam Kai-Qian from KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital also debunked common myths about vaccines, reassuring parents that side effects are usually mild and short-lived.
As children aged five and above become eligible for Covid-19 vaccinations, these stories serve as a reminder of the value of immunization in keeping children safe and healthy.