Acute necrotizing encephalopathy in children with COVID-19: a retrospective study of 12 cases

Background Acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE) is a devastating neurologic condition that can arise following variety of systemic infections, including influenza and SARS-Cov-2. The clinical features COVID-19-associated ANE in pediatric patients based on multi-case data have not yet been described remain obscure. We reviewed 12 to better describe the with COVID-19. Methods retrospectively collected summarized children Clinical were from children, their general status, symptoms, laboratory tests, neuroimaging features. Results Among subjects, 10 over 5 years old they accounted for 83.33%. A large percentage those affected (66.67%) females. major manifestations included fever (100%), impaired consciousness convulsions (75%). determined increased interleukin (IL)-6 IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α interferon gamma predictive severe mortality COVID-19 this study. All presented abnormal multiple symmetrically distributed lesions, involving thalamus, basal ganglia, cerebellum, brain hemispheres. Eight died, resulting rate 66.67%, 75% these Importantly, we found timely administration mannitol after an acute onset or disturbance may be decreased high induced by Conclusion associated characterized sudden symptom onset, rapid disease progression, mortality.