text: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children MIS C and the coronavirus pandemic Current knowledge and implications for public health The coronavirus disease 2019 COVID 19 pandemic has caused widespread mortality and morbidity Though children are largely spared from severe illness a novel childhood hyperinflammatory syndrome presumed to be associated with and subsequent to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 SARS CoV 2 infection has emerged with potentially severe outcomes Multisystem inflammatory disorder in children MIS C most commonly affects young school aged children and is characterized by persistent fever systemic hyperinflammation and multisystem organ dysfunction While uncommon and generally treatable MIS C presents potentially life altering medical sequelae complicated by a dearth of information regarding its etiology pathophysiology and long term outcomes The severity of MIS C may warrant the need for increased awareness and continued COVID 19 mitigation efforts particularly until potential factors conferring a predisposition to MIS C can be clarified through additional research Well informed guidelines will be critical as the school year progresses In this article current knowledge on MIS C is reviewed and the potential implications of this novel syndrome are discussed from a public health perspective 