Infectious-mononucleosis-like exanthema associated with COVID-19 in a child

Area of Science:

• Pediatric infectious diseases
• Dermatology
• Virology

Background:

• The clinical presentation of COVID-19 in children can vary significantly from adults.
• Cutaneous manifestations are increasingly recognized but often lack specificity.

Observation:

• Children with COVID-19 may present with maculopapular rash, a non-specific finding.
• This rash can be easily confused with other common viral exanthemas seen in pediatric populations.

Findings:

• Childhood COVID-19 skin symptoms are distinct from adult manifestations.
• Maculopapular rash in children necessitates further investigation to rule out coronavirus disease 2019.

Implications:

• Early recognition of distinct pediatric COVID-19 dermatological signs is important for timely diagnosis.
• Diagnostic protocols for childhood febrile illnesses should consider COVID-19, especially with cutaneous findings.
• Nasopharyngeal swabbing remains the gold standard for confirming COVID-19 in pediatric cases presenting with rash.