Faculty Collaboration Database

Pediatric COVID-19 Delirium: Case Report of 2 Adolescents. WMJ 2021 Jul;120(2):131-136

Date

07/14/2021

Pubmed ID

34255953

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85111615460 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   10 Citations

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Neurological complications of COVID-19, including delirium, are emerging in the adult population but have not been well described in pediatrics.

CASE PRESENTATION: We report the cases of 2 adolescent males, ages 16 and 17, who presented with delirium secondary to an acute COVID-19 infection in the fall of 2020 at Children's Wisconsin in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The foundation of our treatment strategy was the triad of alpha-2 agonists (clonidine, dexmedetomidine, guanfacine), antipsychotic agents (quetiapine, haloperidol, olanzapine), and melatonin. Discharge planning required involvement from inpatient psychiatry, case management, social work, and the family. Both patients showed improvement after several weeks.

DISCUSSION: We believe these are the first reported cases of COVID-19-associated delirium in children outside of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C).

CONCLUSION: Pediatric COVID-19 delirium is a new manifestation of the COVID-19 disease. Treatment guidelines are emerging and lessons regarding therapies and discharge considerations are described in these 2 unique cases.

Author List

Bauer SC, Moral F, Preloger E, Spindler A, Roman M, Logan A, Sandage SJ, Manak C, Mitchell M

Authors

Sarah Bauer MD Associate Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Michelle Mitchell MD Associate Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Erin M. Preloger MD Assistant Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adolescent
Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists
Antipsychotic Agents
Delirium
Drug Therapy, Combination
Humans
Male
Melatonin
Wisconsin