A Case of Fatal Catatonia in a COVID-19 Patient

Cureus. 2021 Jul 21;13(7):e16529. doi: 10.7759/cureus.16529. eCollection 2021 Jul.

Abstract

COVID-19 has been associated with numerous complications, primarily pulmonary in origin. However, there have been several neurological sequelae of COVID-19 as well, one of the rarer complications is catatonia. In this already vulnerable population, it is imperative for the early diagnosis of catatonia and starting treatment. Delay in treatment of catatonia can be fatal from secondary complications as seen here. We discuss a case of a 62-year-old female that presented with mild COVID pneumonia, subsequently developed catatonia precipitated by COVID-19 encephalitis, which ultimately led to her death from complications.

Keywords: bush francis catatonia scale; catatonia; covid 19; covid-19 cns involvement; fatal catatonia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports