Pediatric COVID-19: Low Incidence, but Possible Fatality—A Case Report and a Review of the Literature

Abstract

Background: Pediatric COVID-19 is a current health burden mostly due to the lack of knowledge in terms of symptoms, clinical course and management. COVID-19-associated coagulopathy is one of the most recently described complications among adults, along with acquired thrombophilia resulting in an increased risk for venous, arterial and microvascular thrombosis. Case presentation: We report the case of a 4-year-old male child, admitted to our clinic for generalized seizures being intubated and mechanically ventilated before admission, with a personal history of ureterovesical junction obstruction, mild hydronephrosis, and an episode of generalized seizures. The laboratory tests revealed anemia, an increased number of monocytes, and a mildly increased C-reactive protein. A real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of the oropharyngeal swab was performed and it tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 in the child and both of his parents. The thoracic CT showed consolidation in the lower lobe of the left lung associated with an opacity in the right apex, suggesting possible atelectasis. We initiated antibiotic, antiviral, corticosteroids, as well as anticoagulants and antipyretics, continuing the chronic anticonvulsant therapy. The patient’s condition deteriorated progressively, and, after 72 h of hospitalization, he developed desaturation and bradycardia. The laboratory parameters on the third day showed leucopenia, neutropenia, increased creatine kinase, a high ferritin level, hypoalbuminemia, a prolonged prothrombin time and an increased international normalized ration. The patient died on the fourth day of admission. Conclusion: In spite of its low incidence and frequent benign clinical course, COVID-19 complications such as coagulopathy might represent a leading cause of death, even in pediatric patients.

Keywords

• SARS-CoV-2
• COVID-19
• coagulopathy
• pneumonia
• children