Focal Seizures in a Child Following COVID-19 Infection: A Case Report

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been shown to impact multiple organs, even in instances where patients did not show any symptoms. In this case report, we detail a six-year-old male child presenting with focal seizures without an antecedent history of epilepsy. The child presented with twitching movements on the right side of the face involving the oral cavity. Non-contrast brain MRI showed meningoencephalitis. He was given antibiotics, antipyretics, and antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), but his clinical condition continued to deteriorate despite treatment. Oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal swabs tested positive for COVID-19. Thus, treatment was initiated for COVID-19 encephalitis and seizures with intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) and steroids. Frequency of seizures decreased dramatically after steroids were initiated and remained infrequent during the five days of steroid therapy. After steroids were discontinued seizures returned but were shorter, less frequent and manageable with AEDs. The child was discharged on AEDs and was seizure-free at six months of follow-up. The following case report details the disease and treatment pathway of the patient.