Provoked seizures and status epilepticus in a pediatric population with COVID-19 disease

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Infectious Diseases
• Pediatrics

Background:

• The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted various age groups.
• Neurological manifestations, including seizures, have been reported in pediatric patients with COVID-19.
• The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants may alter disease presentation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between the Omicron variant and seizures in pediatric patients.
• To compare the incidence of seizures during the Omicron surge with previous COVID-19 surges.
• To characterize the clinical presentation of seizures in children with COVID-19 during the Omicron variant surge.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective case series of 16 pediatric patients presenting with seizures and COVID-19.
• Data collected from an urban hospital emergency room during the Omicron variant surge.
• Analysis of patient demographics, seizure characteristics, and medical history.

Main Results:

• An increased number of pediatric seizures associated with COVID-19 occurred during the Omicron surge compared to prior surges.
• The 16 patients ranged from 3 months to 12 years old; 31% had a history of epilepsy.
• 88% presented with complex provoked seizures, often with focal features or status epilepticus.

Conclusions:

• The Omicron variant may be more frequently associated with neurological symptoms, specifically complex provoked seizures, in the pediatric population compared to earlier SARS-CoV-2 variants.
• Increased vigilance for seizures is warranted in children diagnosed with COVID-19, particularly during Omicron variant surges.
• Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms linking SARS-CoV-2 variants to specific neurological outcomes in children.