Pediatric Autoimmune Encephalitis Following COVID-19 Infection. (March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hilado, Mark; Banh, Michelle; Homans, James; Partikian, Arthur
• Is Part Of: Journal of child neurology. Volume 37:Number 4(2022)
• Page Start: 268
• Page End: 272
• Publication Date: 2022-03
• Subjects: COVID-19, autoimmune, encephalitis, pediatrics, postinfectious; Nervous system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.928
• DOI: 10.1177/08830738211069814
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0883-0738

Abstract

Similar to the pathogenesis of autoimmune disease, SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection has been shown to be associated with dysregulated and persistent inflammatory reactions and production of some antibodies. We report 3 pediatric patients found to have serum SARS-CoV-2 antibodies who presented with neurologic findings suggestive of postinfectious autoimmune-mediated encephalitis. All 3 cases showed lymphocytic pleocytosis on cerebrospinal fluid studies and marked improvement in neurologic symptoms after high-dose intravenous corticosteroids. The manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the pediatric population are still an evolving area of study, and these cases suggest autoimmune-mediated encephalitis as yet another SARS-CoV-2 related complication.