The 2019 novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has caused a global outbreak of infection. In general, children with coronavirus disease-2019 have been reported to show milder respiratory symptoms than adult patients. Here, we have described a case of a SARS-CoV-2-infected infant who presented to our hospital with a severe episode of an apparent life-threatening event (ALTE). An 8-month-old, otherwise healthy female infant presented to our hospital because of a sudden cardiopulmonary arrest. Approximately 1 h before this episode, the patient showed no symptoms, except a worse humor than usual. On arrival at our hospital, the patient had severe acidosis, but there were no clear signs of inflammatory response. Chest computed tomography showed weak consolidations in the upper right lung and atelectasis in the lower left lung. No signs of congenital heart disease or cardiomyopathy were observed on echocardiography, and no significant arrhythmia was observed during the clinical course. However, SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in tracheal aspirate and urine samples. Although the assessment of further similar cases is indispensable, this case suggests that SARS-CoV-2 infection may be an underlying factor in the pathophysiology of ALTE.
Keywords: apparent life-threatening event; coronavirus disease-2019; severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus.