Critical Illness Myopathy in a Child with SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Abstract

A variety of symptoms affecting the nervous system and/or skeletal muscle have been described during the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. Though largely unexplored in children, intensive care unit-acquired weakness (ICU-AW) is associated with significant comorbidities. No previous pediatric cases of ICU-AW associated with coronavirus disease 2019 have been reported. A 12-year-old boy with SARS-CoV-2 infection developed systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Seven days later, he developed severe muscle weakness, with a creatine kinase level of 402 U/L. Nerve conduction studies and electromyography revealed a myopathic pattern. Severe pediatric cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection may develop ICU-AW. Early diagnosis and rehabilitation may decrease comorbidity and improve quality of life.

Keywords

SARS-CoV-2 - COVID-19 - critical illness myopathy - intensive care unit-acquired weakness - rehabilitation

^* Both authors contributed equally to this study.

Publication History

Received: 17 October 2020

Accepted: 03 March 2021

Article published online:
21 May 2021

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