Complications in Testing for COVID-19 with Nasopharyngeal Swabs: The Severance of a Nasopharyngeal Swab in a 13-Month-Old Toddler and Review of Literature

Abstract

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of nasopharyngeal smears increased enormously to detect SARSCoV-2 and consequently break the chain of infection. Yet, only a few cases of complications during the collection of smears are reported. This case report describes the treatment of a toddler who presented in our pediatric emergency ward with a broken swab after nasopharyngeal COVID-19 testing and the currently unknown location of the swab in the body. Subsequently, other complications in testing for COVID-19 are reviewed though no comparable case has been published so far in the pediatric field. Concluding methods to prevent and treat complications are discussed.