Electroencephalographic results in children with COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction. COVID-19 infection can cause various changes involving all structures of the central and peripheral nervous system, as well as neurophysiological abnormalities on the electroencephalographic (EEG) pathway.Purpose. Evaluation of EEG results in children who underwent COVID-19 based on the analysis of retrospective data, in order to assess the type of neurophysiological abnormalities. Material and methods. Retrospective study analyzing 48 EEG results of children who had COVID-19, aged between 6 months and 5 years. The presence of the infection was confirmed by molecular RT-PCR tests. All children showed various neurological symptoms. The EEG results were described by qualified specialists in the field. The SPSS program was used for statistical analysis. Results. EEG - abnormal background activity (97.9% [95% CI: 95.84- 99.96]; p <0.01), slow diffuse (93.8% [95% CI: 90.29-97.31]; p <0.01); epileptiform discharges (ED) (33.3% [95% CI: 40.1 -26.5]; p <0.01). ED – common in seizures (62.5% [95% CI: 74.6– 50.4]; p = 0.52) and in those with a history of epilepsy (43.8% [95% CI: 56.2–31.4]; p = 0.47), compared with those without such manifestations (37.5%). Some children with ED had persistent seizures 1-2 weeks after illness (31.3% [95% CI: 42.89-19.71]; p = 0.054), others - more than one month later (12.5% [95%: 20.77- 4.23]; p = 0.075). Others developed drugresistant epilepsy (18.8% [95% CI: 28.56-9.04]; p = 0.08).Conclusions. COVID-19 often causes EEG changes with abnormal background activity and diffuse slow motion along the route. ED are uncommon, with an increased rate in children with seizures and a history of epilepsy. Likewise, this infection can cause postinfectious epilepsy.