tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Seizure
. 2021 Aug 28;92:89-93.
doi: 10.1016/j.seizure.2021.08.017. Online ahead of print.
Seizures as the main presenting manifestation of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection in children
Mohammad Kurd[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Saar Hashavya[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Shmuel Benenson[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Tal Gilboa[SUP] 4 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Abstract
Objectives: To explore the rate, characteristics, risk factors, and prognosis of children presenting with seizures as the main symptom of acute COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019).
Methods: We conducted a systematic retrospective study to identify all children who presented to the emergency departments of a tertiary academic medical center between March 1st and December 31st 2020 and had a SARS-CoV-2 infection based on RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) from nasopharyngeal swab. Clinical and demographic data were extracted from the electronic medical records and reviewed.
Results: Total of 175 children were diagnosed with acute SARS-CoV-2 infection in the emergency departments during the study period. Of those, 11 presented with seizures. Age ranged from six months to 17 years and 4 were girls. Five presented with status epilepticus and responded to loading doses of anti-seizure medications. Six had fever. Seven had prior history of neurological disorder. Full recovery was the rule.
Significance: Unlike in adults, seizures occur early and may be the main manifestation of acute COVID-19 in children. Seizures, including status epilepticus, may occur without fever even in children with no history of epilepsy and are not associated with severe disease. A high index of suspicion is required for early diagnosis thus infection control measures can be taken.
Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Seizures; Status epilepticus.
. 2021 Aug 28;92:89-93.
doi: 10.1016/j.seizure.2021.08.017. Online ahead of print.
Seizures as the main presenting manifestation of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection in children
Mohammad Kurd[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Saar Hashavya[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Shmuel Benenson[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Tal Gilboa[SUP] 4 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 34481322
- DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2021.08.017
Abstract
Objectives: To explore the rate, characteristics, risk factors, and prognosis of children presenting with seizures as the main symptom of acute COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019).
Methods: We conducted a systematic retrospective study to identify all children who presented to the emergency departments of a tertiary academic medical center between March 1st and December 31st 2020 and had a SARS-CoV-2 infection based on RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) from nasopharyngeal swab. Clinical and demographic data were extracted from the electronic medical records and reviewed.
Results: Total of 175 children were diagnosed with acute SARS-CoV-2 infection in the emergency departments during the study period. Of those, 11 presented with seizures. Age ranged from six months to 17 years and 4 were girls. Five presented with status epilepticus and responded to loading doses of anti-seizure medications. Six had fever. Seven had prior history of neurological disorder. Full recovery was the rule.
Significance: Unlike in adults, seizures occur early and may be the main manifestation of acute COVID-19 in children. Seizures, including status epilepticus, may occur without fever even in children with no history of epilepsy and are not associated with severe disease. A high index of suspicion is required for early diagnosis thus infection control measures can be taken.
Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Seizures; Status epilepticus.