Guillain-Barré Syndrome in a Child With COVID-19 Infection.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Infectious Diseases
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune disorder causing paralysis, typically post-infection.
• Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes COVID-19, with rare GBS reports in adults.

Observation:

• An 8-year-old boy presented with ascending paralysis and areflexia.
• Diagnostic tests confirmed GBS, including nerve root enhancement on MRI and albuminocytologic dissociation in cerebrospinal fluid.
• The patient had positive tests for SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Findings:

• This case represents the first documented instance of GBS in a pediatric patient with acute COVID-19.
• Electrodiagnostic studies indicated a sensorimotor demyelinating polyneuropathy consistent with GBS.
• Intravenous immunoglobulin treatment led to neurological improvement and extubation.

Implications:

• COVID-19 can present with neurological complications like GBS in children.
• Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for COVID-19 in children presenting with neurological symptoms.
• This case expands the known spectrum of SARS-CoV-2 manifestations and postinfectious sequelae.