Pulmonary embolism in an adolescent with COVID-19 pneumonia

Nuñez-Paucar H.; De Coll-Vela L.E.; Peña-Coello C.; Guillen-Buleje D.; Atamari-Anahui N.; Gomez-Martinez L.; Huby-Muñoz C.L.; Zamudio-Aquise M.K.; Bernal-Mancilla R.R. · Boletin Medico del Hospital Infantil de Mexico (2023) · DOI: 10.24875/bmhim.22000076

Resumen

Background: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a complication reported in the adult population with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); however, its documentation in the pediatric population is limiteda. Case report: We report the case of a 15-year old male with obesity and Down syndrome who was admitted for severe COVID-19 pneumonia. On day 7 of admission, he presented with chest pain, hemoptysis, respiratory distress, and marked elevation of D-dimer. Pulmonary CT angiography found an extensive thrombus in the right lower lobar artery. He received treatment with enoxaparin and rivaroxaban and had a favorable clinical outcome. In the tomographic control 1 month after treatment, thrombus was not evidenced and was successfully resolved. Conclusions: There are few reports of PE in children with COVID-19. Prompt diagnosis and early anticoagulant treatment are important to avoid life-threatening complications.

Instituciones: Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia; Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos; Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola