Pennsylvania is carefully monitoring a syndrome believed to have COVID-19 as its catalyst.

Physicians are calling the rare illness “pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics listed common symptoms associated with the condition as stomach pain, fever, rash, vomiting, diarrhea, trouble breathing, confusion and excessive drowsiness.

“Kids are coming in with severe belly pain,” said Dr. Christania Morganti, a pediatric specialist for Butler Health System. “It seems to be the one major symptom with this particular condition.”

Morganti said the way the syndrome has been described so far is consistent with an autoimmune-type disease in which a person's body attacks itself. The new syndrome is commonly compared to Kawasaki disease and toxic shock syndrome because of the range of symptoms and duration between infection and reaction.

“(Kawasaki disease) has been known for a long time, and we're not sure what causes that,” Morganti said.

Dr. Rachel Levine, the state's secretary of health, said many of the cases so far have been centered around New York.

“This is an inflammatory condition of the blood vessels,” Levine said. “We have not had any reports in Pennsylvania.”

Levine said the state Department of Health has sent through the health alert network information about the condition and its symptoms. Hospitals are expected to report these cases to the department.

“We are reaching out to our six children's hospitals to find out more information if they have any of those cases,” Levine said.

Levine said her department will also be watching news coming out of New York carefully, as the state appears to have the largest number of cases of the syndrome compared to other states. She said there have even been deaths attributed to the syndrome.

“These children are very ill, oftentimes requiring intensive care and sometimes fluid support and even the use of a ventilator or breathing machine,” Levine said.

Morganti said little is known about the cluster of symptoms afflicting children, much like COVID-19. She said this is likely why people are jumping quickly to associate the two.

“I don't know that it's been proven that it's a COVID-responsible thing, but it is coming about during this epidemic,” Morganti said.

Per multiple varying reports, the syndrome has many unknown factors, but the reports consistently point out that the syndrome appears about four to six weeks after the child might have encountered COVID-19.

News outlets from across the country have reported that children who contract the syndrome have either tested positive for COVID-19 or more commonly had COVID-19 antibodies.

Morganti said she would advise parents not to panic over the new syndrome, but to be aware of its symptoms. She said she has tested many children over the past weeks, and none have tested positive for COVID-19.

“I would reassure (parents) that it's still very mild in children, and that this possible condition, if it is related, it's very rare.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends parents call their pediatrician if they are concerned about their child's health.

The following numbers about the coronavirus pandemic are compiled daily from the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s website and regular releases from Butler Health System.Wednesday’s COVID-19 statistics:Butler CountyConfirmed cases: 197Negative tests: 2,867Deaths: 7Butler Memorial HospitalInpatients: 2Suspected: 1Confirmed: 1ICU: 0Total tests: 3,561Outdoor tests: 2,258Positive tests: 226Clarion HospitalInpatients: 1Suspected: 0Confirmed: 1ICU: 0Total tests: 739Outdoor tests: 562Positive tests: 28PennsylvaniaNew cases: 707Total cases: 58,698New deaths: 137Total deaths: 3,943Negative tests: 244,171Surrounding CountiesAllegheny: 1,545 confirmed cases; 20,622 negative test results; and 139 deathsArmstrong: 56 confirmed; 921 negative; and 5 deathsBeaver: 509 confirmed; 2,556 negative; and 78 deathsClarion: 24 confirmed; 565 negative; and 2 deathsLawrence: 71 confirmed; 934 negative; and 7 deathsMercer: 78 confirmed; 975 negative; and 2 deathsVenango: 7 confirmed and 314 negativeWestmoreland: 419 confirmed; 6,266 negative; and 32 deaths- The total number of cases includes confirmed and probable cases.- The total deaths and new deaths include only confirmed deaths, which is a person who tested positive for the virus before their death.