COVID-19 Mortality in a Pediatric Patient with Hemoglobin SC Disease and Alpha-Thalassemia Trait

As the pandemic continues to evolve, more cases of COVID-19 in pediatric patients are being detected. A 12-year-old boy with HbSC disease alpha-thalassemia trait presented to a pediatric emergency room with fever and weakness. His vital signs were notable for fever, tachypnea, and tachycardia. His p...

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Main Authors: Joshua E. Motelow, Stacie Kahn, Patrick T. Wilson
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2021-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Critical Care
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/6617362
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author Joshua E. Motelow
Stacie Kahn
Patrick T. Wilson
author_facet Joshua E. Motelow
Stacie Kahn
Patrick T. Wilson
author_sort Joshua E. Motelow
collection DOAJ
description As the pandemic continues to evolve, more cases of COVID-19 in pediatric patients are being detected. A 12-year-old boy with HbSC disease alpha-thalassemia trait presented to a pediatric emergency room with fever and weakness. His vital signs were notable for fever, tachypnea, and tachycardia. His physical exam was concerning for increased work of breathing. He tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by PCR although his hemoglobin level remained near his baseline. His chest radiograph showed a retrocardiac opacity concerning for evolving acute chest syndrome. He decompensated quickly requiring invasive mechanical ventilation and exchange transfusion. He received hydroxychloroquine, broad-spectrum antibiotics, and enoxaparin for DVT prophylaxis. Despite showing clinical signs of improvement, he became acutely hypoxemic and suffered a cardiac arrest. We believe this to be an unusual case of a pediatric patient with HbSC disease and COVID-19. We outline clearly the course of illness and treatments trialed, which can prove beneficial to providers facing similar challenges as this virus continues to strike areas around the world. Although children have significantly better outcomes than adults, providers must remain vigilant while treating any patient with a hemoglobinopathy in the setting of severe COVID-19.
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spelling doaj-art-d7dbf6794d5c4a1d80c2d4e2530a189e2025-02-03T06:07:39ZengWileyCase Reports in Critical Care2090-64202090-64392021-01-01202110.1155/2021/66173626617362COVID-19 Mortality in a Pediatric Patient with Hemoglobin SC Disease and Alpha-Thalassemia TraitJoshua E. Motelow0Stacie Kahn1Patrick T. Wilson2Department of Pediatrics, Division of Critical Care and Hospital Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of New York, New York, NY, USADepartment of Pediatrics, Division of Critical Care and Hospital Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of New York, New York, NY, USADepartment of Pediatrics, Division of Critical Care and Hospital Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of New York, New York, NY, USAAs the pandemic continues to evolve, more cases of COVID-19 in pediatric patients are being detected. A 12-year-old boy with HbSC disease alpha-thalassemia trait presented to a pediatric emergency room with fever and weakness. His vital signs were notable for fever, tachypnea, and tachycardia. His physical exam was concerning for increased work of breathing. He tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by PCR although his hemoglobin level remained near his baseline. His chest radiograph showed a retrocardiac opacity concerning for evolving acute chest syndrome. He decompensated quickly requiring invasive mechanical ventilation and exchange transfusion. He received hydroxychloroquine, broad-spectrum antibiotics, and enoxaparin for DVT prophylaxis. Despite showing clinical signs of improvement, he became acutely hypoxemic and suffered a cardiac arrest. We believe this to be an unusual case of a pediatric patient with HbSC disease and COVID-19. We outline clearly the course of illness and treatments trialed, which can prove beneficial to providers facing similar challenges as this virus continues to strike areas around the world. Although children have significantly better outcomes than adults, providers must remain vigilant while treating any patient with a hemoglobinopathy in the setting of severe COVID-19.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/6617362
spellingShingle Joshua E. Motelow
Stacie Kahn
Patrick T. Wilson
COVID-19 Mortality in a Pediatric Patient with Hemoglobin SC Disease and Alpha-Thalassemia Trait
Case Reports in Critical Care
title COVID-19 Mortality in a Pediatric Patient with Hemoglobin SC Disease and Alpha-Thalassemia Trait
title_full COVID-19 Mortality in a Pediatric Patient with Hemoglobin SC Disease and Alpha-Thalassemia Trait
title_fullStr COVID-19 Mortality in a Pediatric Patient with Hemoglobin SC Disease and Alpha-Thalassemia Trait
title_full_unstemmed COVID-19 Mortality in a Pediatric Patient with Hemoglobin SC Disease and Alpha-Thalassemia Trait
title_short COVID-19 Mortality in a Pediatric Patient with Hemoglobin SC Disease and Alpha-Thalassemia Trait
title_sort covid 19 mortality in a pediatric patient with hemoglobin sc disease and alpha thalassemia trait
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/6617362
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