Post-COVID-19 related neurological features in a pediatric population
Salma Zouari Mallouli, Imen Ben Kraiem, Wafa Bouchaala, Olfa Jallouli, Sihem Ben Nsir, Fatma Kamoun Feki, Chahnez Charfi Triki
Background: Since the outbreak of COVID 19, novel coronavirus2 (SARS-CoV-2 infection) has been responsible for a systemic disorder including the nervous system. With the advent of anti-COVID vaccination, pediatric cases consulting for neurological complications are constantly increasing. Objective To establish a cause-effect relation between COVID-19 infection and neurological presentation and identify the wide spectrum of its manifestations. Material and methods We retrospectively collected demographic, anamnestic, clinical and paraclinical data of pediatric cases presenting with neurological manifestations during or after confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection at child neurology department of Sfax between January 2022 and March 2022. Results Overall, we included 6 males and 2 females. Mean age at onset was 52.87 months (1-156). The mean delay from onset symptom of 30.16 days (0-120). Neurological symptoms occurred meanly 67.87 days (0-395) after onset COVID-19 infection. They mainly included epileptic seizures (4/8), cognitive impairment (3/8) and ataxia (2/8). Intracranial hypertension, meningitis, behavioral changes, pyramidal features, tone abnormalities, torticollis, sensory disturbances and peripheral damage to brachial plexus were noted each in one case only. link between COVID-19 and neurological features was established in only 4 patients. Discussion and conclusion: The present study highlighted that some neurological symptoms were directly linked to COVID infection while others were considered as coincidence due to insufficient proof. The fail to establish such relation is probably due to the delay of patients counselling but also to the frequency of numerous neurological conditions in this age range
Keywords: COVID-19, neurological features, childhood
Salma Zouari Mallouli
Hedi Chaker Sfax University Hospital, Tunisia and Research laboratory LR19ES15- Sfax University, Tunisia
Tunisia
Imen Ben Kraiem
Hedi Chaker Sfax University Hospital, Tunisia
Tunisia
Wafa Bouchaala
Hedi Chaker Sfax University Hospital, Tunisia and Research laboratory LR19ES15- Sfax University, Tunisia
Tunisia
Olfa Jallouli
Hedi Chaker Sfax University Hospital, Tunisia and Research laboratory LR19ES15- Sfax University, Tunisia
Tunisia
Sihem Ben Nsir
Hedi Chaker Sfax University Hospital, Tunisia and Research laboratory LR19ES15- Sfax University, Tunisia
Tunisia
Fatma Kamoun Feki
Hedi Chaker Sfax University Hospital, Tunisia and Research laboratory LR19ES15- Sfax University, Tunisia
Tunisia
Chahnez Charfi Triki
Hedi Chaker Sfax University Hospital, Tunisia, and Research laboratory LR19ES15- Sfax University, Tunisia
Tunisia
Background: Since the outbreak of COVID 19, novel coronavirus2 (SARS-CoV-2 infection) has been responsible for a systemic disorder including the nervous system. With the advent of anti-COVID vaccination, pediatric cases consulting for neurological complications are constantly increasing. Objective To establish a cause-effect relation between COVID-19 infection and neurological presentation and identify the wide spectrum of its manifestations. Material and methods We retrospectively collected demographic, anamnestic, clinical and paraclinical data of pediatric cases presenting with neurological manifestations during or after confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection at child neurology department of Sfax between January 2022 and March 2022. Results Overall, we included 6 males and 2 females. Mean age at onset was 52.87 months (1-156). The mean delay from onset symptom of 30.16 days (0-120). Neurological symptoms occurred meanly 67.87 days (0-395) after onset COVID-19 infection. They mainly included epileptic seizures (4/8), cognitive impairment (3/8) and ataxia (2/8). Intracranial hypertension, meningitis, behavioral changes, pyramidal features, tone abnormalities, torticollis, sensory disturbances and peripheral damage to brachial plexus were noted each in one case only. link between COVID-19 and neurological features was established in only 4 patients. Discussion and conclusion: The present study highlighted that some neurological symptoms were directly linked to COVID infection while others were considered as coincidence due to insufficient proof. The fail to establish such relation is probably due to the delay of patients counselling but also to the frequency of numerous neurological conditions in this age range
Keywords: COVID-19, neurological features, childhood
Salma Zouari Mallouli
Hedi Chaker Sfax University Hospital, Tunisia and Research laboratory LR19ES15- Sfax University, Tunisia
Tunisia
Imen Ben Kraiem
Hedi Chaker Sfax University Hospital, Tunisia
Tunisia
Wafa Bouchaala
Hedi Chaker Sfax University Hospital, Tunisia and Research laboratory LR19ES15- Sfax University, Tunisia
Tunisia
Olfa Jallouli
Hedi Chaker Sfax University Hospital, Tunisia and Research laboratory LR19ES15- Sfax University, Tunisia
Tunisia
Sihem Ben Nsir
Hedi Chaker Sfax University Hospital, Tunisia and Research laboratory LR19ES15- Sfax University, Tunisia
Tunisia
Fatma Kamoun Feki
Hedi Chaker Sfax University Hospital, Tunisia and Research laboratory LR19ES15- Sfax University, Tunisia
Tunisia
Chahnez Charfi Triki
Hedi Chaker Sfax University Hospital, Tunisia, and Research laboratory LR19ES15- Sfax University, Tunisia
Tunisia
Chahnez Charfi Triki
Hedi Chaker Sfax University Hospital, Tunisia, and Research laboratory LR19ES15- Sfax University, Tunisia Tunisia
Hedi Chaker Sfax University Hospital, Tunisia, and Research laboratory LR19ES15- Sfax University, Tunisia Tunisia