Catatonia in a 6-year-old Patient Following Disseminated Group A Streptococcus Infection

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Neurology
• Infectious Diseases
• Child Psychiatry

Background:

• Pediatric catatonia is an underreported and often misdiagnosed condition in hospitalized children.
• Group A Streptococcus (GAS) infection is a known trigger for pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS).

Observation:

• A 6-year-old female presented with symptoms initially presumed to be delirium due to disseminated GAS infection.
• Diagnosis was confirmed through careful clinical examination, the Pediatric Catatonia Rating Scale, and a lorazepam challenge.

Findings:

• This case highlights a potential link between Group A Streptococcus (GAS) infection and the development of catatonia in pediatric patients.
• The study reviews limited literature to propose a mechanism for GAS-induced catatonia.

Implications:

• Early recognition and diagnosis of pediatric catatonia are crucial for appropriate management.
• Further systematic studies are essential to elucidate the pathogenesis and long-term neuropsychiatric outcomes of pediatric catatonia.