Encephalopathy With Akinetic Mutism in a Child With COVID-19 Infection: A Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: COVID-19 has been associated with neurological complications, including encephalopathy and akinetic mutism.

Case presentation: A 7-year-old unvaccinated boy presented with visual hallucinations, urinary incontinence, and akinetic mutism 13 days after he was exposed to COVID-19. He had minimal respiratory symptoms, including just 1 day of fever and cough. Evaluations showed slowing on electroencephalogram, normal cerebrospinal fluid, normal brain magnetic resonance imaging, and mild sinus bradycardia. He recovered rapidly to baseline after 5 days of intravenous methylprednisolone.

Discussion: COVID-19-related encephalopathy including akinetic mutism is usually found in older adult patients with more severe COVID-19 illness. Our case demonstrates that akinetic mutism can present in children with mild COVID-19 illness and that it can respond rapidly and completely to intravenous methylprednisolone.

Conclusions: COVID-19-related encephalopathy may be immune mediated. A heightened awareness of its association with COVID-19 illness should lead to earlier diagnosis and consideration of immunomodulatory therapy.