Title : Pediatric Encephalitis in the Setting of COVID-19: A Case Series
Abstract:
It was recently noted that, in addition to systemic and respiratory symptoms, a certain number of patients with COVID-19 develop neurological symptoms. In this case series, 3 children who presented initially with prominent neurological symptoms are described. All 3 patients had seizure, abnormal movements, and changes noted on cranial MRI. No guidelines regarding the treatment of these patients are published yet, and treatment options are currently based on limited case reports and small case series of adult and pediatric patients. In the present series, two of the patients were given IVIG, and all three had methylprednisolone. Although the course of illness of these patients were prolonged, the outcomes were very good, with which 2 out of 3 patients recovered completely several months after discharge.
Learning Points
- Encephalitis is not commonly encountered in clinics and hospitals. As of writing, there are only limited published studies on Encephalitis in children with COVID-19, making it quite a challenge when faced with such a case. This study may aid clinicians in the recognition, diagnostic investigations and management of pediatric patients with encephalitis, in the setting of COVID-19, enabling better care for these patients.
- This study provides an overview of how encephalitis affects our country, by providing information on what we currently know about the problem.
- This study also highlights the deficiencies in our current literature which may pave way for researchers to further examine the subject matter.
