jrnls.org logo
Submit

BROWSE ALL JOURNALS

SEE ALL 19 JOURNALS
Pharmacy PracticeNOW IN
Article

Exploring phenotypic patterns of cytokine storm in pediatric patients with severe viral infections and multisystem dysfunction: a case series illustrating successful novel therapeutic strategies

Shazia Shafi Chiken1, Khawla Abu Hammour2, Hesham Obeidat3,4, Elsadeg Sharif4,5, Walid Abu Hammour1,4,6★★ Corresponding author

  1. 1Department of Infectious Diseases, Al Jalila Children’s Hospital, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
  2. 2Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Bio pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.
  3. 3Department of Pharmacy, Al Jalila Children’s Hospital, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
  4. 4Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
  5. 5Department of Rheumatology, Al Jalila Children’s Hospital, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
  6. 6School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Jordan, Jordan.

CORRESPONDENCE

Walid Abu Hammour

Professor, Department of Infectious Diseases, Al Jalila Children’s Hospital, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Wabuhammour@dubaihealth.ae

Received: 14-04-2026; Accepted: 03-06-2026.

Volume 24, Issue 3 · pp. 3436–3436 · PUBLISHED Jul-Sep 2026 · DOI: 10.18549/PharmPract.2026.3.3436

View on PP original site ↗

ABSTRACT

Background: Cytokine storm syndrome (CSS) in pediatric patients with severe viral infections is a life-threatening hyper-inflammatory response leading to multi-organ dysfunction. Despite growing recognition, limited data exists on its clinical phenotype and therapeutic strategies in children. Objective: To describe the phenotypic features, diagnostic findings, and outcomes of pediatric patients with viral-induced CSS treated at a tertiary care hospital using advanced immunomodulatory therapies. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of eleven previously healthy children admitted to Al Jalila Children’s Hospital from October 2022 to October 2024. Demographics, viral etiology, biomarkers, imaging, and treatment responses were evaluated. Results: Patients presented with systemic inflammation, respiratory distress, and frequent cardiovascular involvement. All patients received intravenous immunoglobulin; six required corticosteroids, and four received biologic agents including anakinra, tocilizumab, or ruxolitinib. All patients showed clinical resolution without long-term complications. Conclusion: Early identification of CSS and timely implementation of targeted immunomodulatory therapy in pediatric patients with severe viral infections may significantly improve outcomes. These findings highlight the need for diagnostic vigilance and a multidisciplinary treatment approach in managing pediatric CSS.

KEYWORDS

Open in new tab

REFERENCES

As published

Showing references and in-text citations exactly as published.

    Cite this article

    SELECT FORMAT

    Chiken, S. S., Hammour, K. A., Obeidat, H., Sharif, E., & Hammour, W. A. (2026). Exploring phenotypic patterns of cytokine storm in pediatric patients with severe viral infections and multisystem dysfunction: a case series illustrating successful novel therapeutic strategies. Pharmacy Practice, 24(3), 3436–3436. https://doi.org/10.18549/PharmPract.2026.3.3436