Neurological consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infections in the pediatric population

• Published in: Frontiers in pediatrics 2023-02, Vol.11, p.1123348-1123348
• Main Authors: Casabianca, Manon, Caula, Caroline, Titomanlio, Luigi, Lenglart, Léa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: anosmia; children; COVID-19; encephalitis; Pediatrics; SARS-CoV-2
• ISSN: 2296-2360; 2296-2360
• DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1123348

COVID-19 in the pediatric population is mostly asymptomatic. However, 1 out of 5 children presents non-specific neurologic symptoms such as headache, weakness, or myalgia. Furthermore, rarer forms of neurological diseases are increasingly being described in association to a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Encephalitis, stroke, cranial nerves impairment, Guillain-Barré syndrome or acute transverse myelitis have been reported and account for around 1% of pediatric COVID-19 cases. Some of these pathologies may occur during or after the SARS-CoV-2 infection. The pathophysiological mechanisms range from direct invasion of the central nervous system (CNS) by SARS-CoV-2 itself to postinfectious immune-mediated CNS inflammation. In most cases, patients presenting neurological pathologies related to SARS-CoV-2 infection are at greater risk of life-threatening complications and should be closely monitored. Further studies are needed to acknowledge the potential long-term neurodevelopmental consequences of the infection.