Confirmed child patient with covid-19 infection, opperated for associated surgical pathology – first pediatric case in Romania

Abstract

Background: The year 2020 will remain in history as a challenge for the humanity due to the pandemic situation caused by the Coronavirus – COVID-19 disease. The virus spread rapidly throughout the world, affecting people of all ages including children. Objectives: The purpose of the research was to present the first case in Romania of a child infected with COVID-19, operated for associated surgical pathology. Materials and Methods: The case presented in this paper is a 6 years and 9 months old female child with COVID-19 infection admitted in the Clinic of Pediatric Surgery of Constanta Emergency County Hospital and operated for a peritonitis with appendicular abscess. In the last 7 days she presented transient abdominal pain with episodes of fever that referred to antipyretics. Results: From a surgical point of view, the case is ordinary, without possible redoubtable complications but the clinical picture was atypical due to coronavirus infection. The viral infection did not have a symptomatic history, as in most adult cases, but the lung x-ray showed infectious changes, which is why she was tested for potential COVID-19 infection, with a positive result. Conclusion: The case showed the clinical picture of atypical coronavirus infection in children. Viral infections in children have more abdominal tropism, with mesenteric lymphadenitis, which in some cases can lead to appendicular inflammation with secondary appendicitis. Undiagnosed in time, it can be complicated by peritonitis and any other type of appendicular infectious pathology.