Guillain-Barré Syndrome in a Pediatric Patient with COVID-19: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Abstract

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has created a global health impact to millions of people. There have been studies of COVID-19 patients manifesting with neurologic symptoms. Although the number of adult COVID-19 infections diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is increasing, the occurrence of cases in pediatric population remains limited or perhaps underreported. We report a rare case of an asymptomatic COVID-19 infection manifesting as acute progressive ascending polyneuropathy and hyporeflexia in a 16-year-old teen. The diagnosis of COVID-19 infection was confirmed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction for SARS-CoV-2 of oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal swab specimens. Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine revealed abnormal enhancement of the cauda equina, including the dorsal and ventral roots. Electromyography and nerve conduction studies were compatible with an acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy subtype of GBS. Although lumbar puncture was not done, the clinical findings and electrodiagnostic tests were both consistent with GBS. The patient had improvement of both motor and sensory functions after completing the treatment of intravenous immunoglobulins. Neurologic manifestations of systemic illness especially in children during this time of pandemic warrants scrutiny, as these may mask a potentially dangerous and infectious ongoing COVID infection.