According to tiny research, a medication intended to treat celiac disease, an autoimmune condition that primarily affects the small intestine, has shown potential for infants with severe post-COVID syndrome.

Despite being uncommon in children, COVID infection causes multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C), a dangerous illness that manifests as elevated fevers, gastrointestinal problems, and potentially fatal heart damage.

According to study data that were published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, larazotide helped kids resume their regular activities more quickly after COVID.

The primary author, Lael Yonker, co-director of the Cystic Fibrosis Center at Mass General Brigham, stated, “Our study is small, but its results are powerful and have implications not only for MIS-C, but potentially for long Covid.”

According to our research, larazotide is safe and effectively treats MIS-C symptoms in kids. To find out if larazotide could also be a helpful treatment for patients with extended Covid, we are currently conducting a clinical investigation,” Yonker continued.

There are currently few MIS-C therapies available. After taking a course of basic anti-inflammatory medications, many patients report that their symptoms have returned. The sticky SARS-CoV-2 virus particles that may linger in the gut are not intended to be targeted by such medications.

In contrast, Larazotide, which is taken orally, targets the stomach and fortifies intestinal barriers to reduce the amount of materials that leave the intestines and enter the bloodstream, such as SARS-CoV-2 virus particles.

Twelve children with early-stage MIS-C participated in a double-blind clinical trial to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of larazotide as a therapy for the condition.

After receiving larazotide four times a day for 21 days or a placebo at random, each patient was monitored for six months while they recovered.

According to the team, kids who took larazotide saw a quicker recovery from gastrointestinal issues, a quicker removal of SARS-CoV-2 virus particles, and a quicker return to their regular activities.