Analysis of Inflammatory Markers and Electroencephalogram Findings in Pediatric Patients with COVID-19: A Single-Center Study in Korea

Abstract

Purpose: The Omicron variant wave spread rapidly from February 2022 in South Korea following the initial management of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. This study examined electroencephalogram (EEG) findings and serological inflammatory markers in pediatric patients with COVID-19 (Omicron variant). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 41 patients who presented at Gyeongsang National University Changwon Hospital between March and May 2022 and were diagnosed with COVID-19. All serological tests were performed within 24 hours of fever or seizure onset. Results: The median patient age was 3.6 years (range, 0.08 to 14.00), and the average hospital stay was 3.7 days (range, 1.0 to 7.0). Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were elevated above the normal range in all patients (median, 43.18 pg/mL; range, 7.0 to 190.0) and were higher among those who experienced seizures. Of the 41 total patients, 17 (41.5%; mean age, 5.4 years) visited the clinic for seizure. Three patients experienced prolonged seizures (lasting longer than 30 minutes) and received intravenous lorazepam, while eight presented with complex febrile seizures. Nine patients underwent EEG, of whom five exhibited abnormal initial findings. Linear regression demonstrated correlations between prolonged seizure duration and both serum IL-6 level and blood lymphocyte count. Conclusion: Numerous serological markers associated with the immune cascade were found to be elevated in children with COVID-19. Nevertheless, febrile seizures represent a relatively common neurological presentation among pediatric patients infected with Omicron variants. Consequently, COVID-19 infection exhibits both familiar and distinct characteristics regarding the mechanisms inducing seizures and fever in children.