BMC Pediatrics (Aug 2020)

COVID-19-associated apnea and circumoral cyanosis in a 3-week-old

  • Joseph S. Needleman,
  • Amy E. Hanson

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-020-02282-8
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 20, no. 1
pp. 1 – 3

Abstract

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Abstract Background Data regarding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases and outcomes in infants are sparse compared to older pediatric and adult populations. Case presentation We present a three-week-old full-term male with a history of mild hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) who was admitted as an inpatient twice for episodes of apnea and perioral cyanosis. The patient tested positive for COVID-19 and negative for other common respiratory viruses at both admissions. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first report of apnea and perioral cyanosis associated with COVID-19 in an infant. This case highlights a previously undocumented COVID-19 presentation and suggests that even mildly symptomatic infants warrant viral diagnostic testing in an effort to prevent further spread of the disease.

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