Critical COVID-19 Pneumonia with Acute Respiratory Failure in a Healthy 12-year-old Girl

Abstract

We present an otherwise healthy, fully immunized 12-year-old girl who was transferred intubated and ventilated to our Paediatric Intensive Care Unit with fever, cough, and acute respiratory failure. The epidemiologic history was positive for COVID-19, and, furthermore, she tested PCR positive resulting from a nasopharyngeal swab. CT of the thorax revealed bilateral consolidation with the tree-in-bud signs. Her condition required artificial ventilation support for 13 days. Remdesivir, pronation, high dose Ascorbic acid with Thiamine, and combined antimicrobial therapy were successfully used. Our patient made a full clinical recovery. The case demonstrates that even though critical course of COVID-19 infection in children is scarce, it might occur. We hereby would like to share our experience with the medical community.