Hepatic Encephalopathy Linked to COVID-19 in a Pediatric Case: A Rare Presentation of COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been identified as an emerging disease in 2019. Complications of the disease remain unknown, and extensive research has been conducted to investigate it. Due to the way the disease is transmitted through ACE2, the virus affects many organs. So far, no cases of hepatic encephalopathy following the virus have been reported. Case Presentation: A 3-year-old boy referred to Ali-Ibn-Abitaleb Hospital in Zahedan, Iran was hospitalized with icterus and decreased level of consciousness. After examinations and evaluation, the patient was diagnosed with hepatic encephalopathy following COVID-19. Unfortunately, despite the treatments, the patient was finally expired. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report demonstrating COVID-19 related hepatic encephalopathy. This case is a useful reminder for doctors to be much more vigilant and cautious about possible side effects of COVID-19.