Pediatric COVID-19 Delirium: Case Report of 2 Adolescents.

INTRODUCTION: Neurological complications of COVID-19, including delirium, are emerging in the adult population but have not been well described in pediatrics. CASE
PRESENTATION: We report the cases of 2 adolescent males, ages 16 and 17, who presented with delirium secondary to an acute COVID-19 infection in the fall of 2020 at Children's Wisconsin in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The foundation of our treatment strategy was the triad of alpha-2 agonists (clonidine, dexmedetomidine, guanfacine), antipsychotic agents (quetiapine, haloperidol, olanzapine), and melatonin. Discharge planning required involvement from inpatient psychiatry, case management, social work, and the family. Both patients showed improvement after several weeks. DISCUSSION: We believe these are the first reported cases of COVID-19-associated delirium in children outside of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C).
CONCLUSION: Pediatric COVID-19 delirium is a new manifestation of the COVID-19 disease. Treatment guidelines are emerging and lessons regarding therapies and discharge considerations are described in these 2 unique cases. Copyright© Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and The Medical College of Wisconsin, Inc.