Pneumatocele-induced pneumothorax after COVID-19 infection in a 45-day-old infant
Shadi Rahil1, Amal Naous1, Zeina Naja2
1Affiliated with Beirut Arab University, Beirut, Lebanon.
Insights
A newborn developed respiratory distress and pneumatocele following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection, potentially due to maternal transmission. This case highlights a rare complication in the youngest reported patient with COVID-19 pneumonia.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric pulmonology
- Infectious diseases
- Neonatal care
Background:
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can cause various pulmonary complications.
- Pneumatocele formation and pneumothorax are known, albeit rare, sequelae of COVID-19 infection.
Observation:
- A 45-day-old infant presented with worsening respiratory distress.
- Radiological findings revealed pneumatocele formation complicated by pneumothorax.
- The infant had positive COVID-19 immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies but negative COVID polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Findings:
- The infant's condition suggested post-COVID-19 infection, with no known contact with infected individuals.
- Maternal history revealed COVID-19 symptoms during pregnancy, suggesting possible maternal-fetal transmission.
- This represents the youngest reported case of COVID-19 pneumonia leading to pneumatocele formation.
Implications:
- This case underscores the potential for severe pulmonary complications in neonates following in-utero COVID-19 exposure.
- It highlights the importance of considering maternal-fetal transmission in unexplained neonatal respiratory distress with positive COVID-19 antibodies.
- Further research is needed to understand the long-term respiratory outcomes in infants affected by prenatal COVID-19 infection.
Abstract:
Throughout the literature, many pathologic lung lesions and complications following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection have been reported including pneumatocele formation which could potentially lead to pneumothorax development. This case report discusses the clinical course of a 45-day-old male with respiratory distress, whose condition worsened over time. Investigations revealed elevated COVID-19 immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies with negative COVID polymerase chain reaction (PCR) accompanied by radiologic evidence of pneumatocele formation, which was further complicated by pneumothorax. The clinical presentation of the patient was consistent with post-COVID infection but he had no history of contact with a sick individual which prompted further investigation of the source of the infection. Upon reviewing the history of the mother, symptoms consistent with COVID-19 around 32 weeks of pregnancy were revealed, which raises the possibility of maternal-fetal exchange of COVID-19 infection. This article presents the youngest reported patient with COVID-19 pneumonia that led to pneumatocele formation.
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