POST-COVID 19 ENCEPHALITIS IN PATIENT WITH DE NOVO MUTATION IN THE SCN1A GENE, A CASE REPORT

Abstract

Seizures are defined as a transient occurrence of signs and symptoms due to an abnormal, excessive or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain, characterized by abrupt and involuntary skeletal muscle activity. The presence of cephalgic syndrome, infectious-toxic encephalopathy, hypo- and anosmia and ageusia are pathognomonic conditions in COVID-19 infected patients. Post-Covid 19 encephalitis develops to encephalopathy in children with epilepsy. Based on the clinical appearance and the parameters that showed past Covid-19 infection, a diagnosis of post-COVID19 encephalopathy was confirmed. To confirm the diagnosis, clinical examinations, MRI of the brain, electroencephalography, lumbar puncture, laboratory tests (including CBC, CRP, basic metabolic panel, liver panel, hemostasis with D-dimer) are necessary. Based on the brain changes registered on the EEG record, the physical findings and the presence of SARS CoV 2 IgG antibodies, it was concluded that a child with an initial diagnosis of epilepsy, developed encephalopathy after asymptomatic COVID 19 infection. Keywords: Post-COVID19 complications, encephalitis, Dravet syndrome, epilepsy, de novo mutation, children