Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 14, 2026

Halogenated Agent Delivery in Porcine Model of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome via an Intensive Care Unit Type Device
09:36

Halogenated Agent Delivery in Porcine Model of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome via an Intensive Care Unit Type Device

Published on: September 24, 2020

2.9K

A Systematic Review of Severe Neurological Manifestations in Pediatric Patients with Coexisting SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Lauren O'Loughlin1, Nilo Alvarez Toledo1, Leon Budrie2

  • 1Department of Physiology, Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, St. George's University, St. George, Grenada.

Neurology International
|August 27, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Most children with SARS-CoV-2 experience mild symptoms, but some develop severe neurological issues, including stroke and encephalitis, often linked to multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). Further research is needed to understand these rare but serious complications.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neuroimmunology

Background:

  • Most children infected with SARS-CoV-2 exhibit mild or no respiratory symptoms.
  • A severe complication, multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), can occur, carrying high mortality.
  • Neurological manifestations have been reported in children with SARS-CoV-2 infection, regardless of symptom severity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and analyze cases of pediatric patients with severe neurological complications and a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection.
  • To identify the types and prevalence of neurological disorders associated with SARS-CoV-2 in children.
  • To explore potential mechanisms underlying these neurological manifestations.

Main Methods:

  • A comprehensive literature search was conducted for studies published between March 2020 and May 2021.
  • Data from 41 studies were included, encompassing 159 pediatric patients with severe neurological issues and positive SARS-CoV-2 tests.
  • Patient age ranged from 24 hours to 17 years.

Main Results:

  • The reviewed cases included diverse severe neurological disorders: 38 strokes, 32 encephalitis, 22 encephalopathy, and 10 Guillain-Barre syndrome.
  • Out of 159 children, 65 were diagnosed with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C).
  • The age range of affected children spanned from neonates to adolescents.

Conclusions:

  • SARS-CoV-2 infection in children can lead to severe neurological complications, including stroke, encephalitis, and Guillain-Barre syndrome.
  • Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is frequently associated with these severe neurological outcomes.
  • Direct neuroinvasion by the virus and dysregulated immune responses are hypothesized as key contributing factors, necessitating further investigation.

Keywords:
COVID-19anosmiacoronavirusesencephalitisneurological symptomspediatrics

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Evaluating the Adjuvant Efficacy and Safety of Angong Niuhuang Pill in Viral Encephalitis Treatment08:36

Author Spotlight: Evaluating the Adjuvant Efficacy and Safety of Angong Niuhuang Pill in Viral Encephalitis Treatment

Published on: April 19, 2024

813
Author Spotlight: Developing Precise and Clinically Relevant Models for Studying Secondary Degeneration in Traumatic Optic Neuropathy04:02

Author Spotlight: Developing Precise and Clinically Relevant Models for Studying Secondary Degeneration in Traumatic Optic Neuropathy

Published on: November 29, 2024

1.3K

Related Concept Videos

Viral Meningitis01:18

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
Arboviral Encephalitis01:25

Arboviral Encephalitis

Arboviral encephalitis refers to brain inflammation caused by arthropod-borne viruses, particularly those transmitted through mosquito vectors. Among these, West Nile virus (WNV), a member of the Flaviviridae family, is a significant public health concern. WNV is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus. Human infection typically begins when an infected mosquito introduces the virus into the dermis during feeding. The primary transmission cycle involves birds as amplifying hosts...
Coronavirus01:29

Coronavirus

Coronaviruses, including the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), are enveloped viruses characterized by their single-stranded, positive-sense RNA genome and helical nucleocapsid structure. The hallmark of these viruses is their club-shaped spike (S) glycoproteins that protrude from the viral envelope, facilitating attachment to host cells. Typically, coronaviruses infect the upper respiratory tract, often causing mild or asymptomatic disease. However, certain strains like...
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease01:29

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease

Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a widespread pathogen that primarily targets infants and young children but also poses a serious health risk to elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Belonging to the Pneumoviridae family, RSV is a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus within the Pneumovirus genus. Its global health burden is significant, with millions of cases annually resulting in hospitalizations and mortality, particularly in resource-limited settings. Although most...
Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction01:22

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction

Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology01:26

Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology

Bacterial meningitis typically begins when pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae colonize the nasopharynx and invade the bloodstream. This process is facilitated by bacterial virulence factors, such as polysaccharide capsules, which resist phagocytosis and complement-mediated killing. Less commonly, bacteria reach the central nervous system via contiguous spread from infections like otitis media or sinusitis, through congenital or acquired dural defects, or...