COVID-19 in a Newborn Caught on Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A Case Report

Abstract

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains a global public health threat. It is generally believed that children, especially neonates, are relatively spared from the disastrous effects of COVID-19 compared to adults. Most symptomatic children experience only mild respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms. Central Nervous System (CNS) complications in COVID-19 are unusual in children and neonates. In this report, the authors present the case of a five-day-old COVID-19 positive neonate who presented with convulsions and tachypnoea. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) findings suggested a cytotoxic oedematous pattern. This child made a complete recovery after receiving appropriate management. There is limited data available regarding COVID-19 in neonates, and only a few similar cases of neonatal involvement have been described in the literature. The aim of this report is to highlight the unusual imaging manifestations of COVID-19 in a neonate.

Keywords

• coronavirus disease-2019
• encephalopathy
• magnetic resonance imaging
• neonate