A case report published in Pediatrics describes the first known instance of vocal cord paralysis in a teenager following a COVID-19 infection. The otherwise healthy 15-year-old girl experienced sudden breathing difficulties and required a tracheostomy to support her breathing for over a year. The report suggests that COVID-19's impact on the nervous system may lead to rare cases of vocal cord paralysis. The girl also experienced numbness, weakness, and difficulty swallowing, which improved over time. Despite unsuccessful treatments, she eventually had surgery to remove the tracheostomy and was able to attend her senior prom tracheostomy-free.
Doctors in Massachusetts have reported a case of a teenage girl whose vocal cords became paralyzed after contracting Covid-19. The girl required a tracheostomy for over a year to help her breathe, but the doctors were eventually able to remove it. While vocal cord paralysis has been linked to Covid-19 before, this is the first documented case in a teenager. The exact mechanism behind the paralysis is still unclear, but it is believed to be related to neuropathy caused by the virus. Doctors urge vigilance in considering vocal cord pathology as a potential complication in patients with voice, swallowing, or breathing issues after Covid-19 infection.
A 15-year-old girl in Massachusetts has experienced vocal cord paralysis, a "first-of-its-kind" case in adolescents, as a result of contracting COVID-19. The teen lost all mobility of her larynx, leading to breathing, talking, and swallowing difficulties. After undergoing extensive testing and speech therapy, she eventually required a tracheostomy for 15 months. However, she was able to breathe without the device just in time for her high school graduation and prom. This case highlights the potential long-term neurotrophic effects of COVID-19 in children and emphasizes the need for awareness and appropriate treatment in pediatric cases.
A 15-year-old girl with no pre-existing conditions experienced vocal cord paralysis as a complication of Covid-19, according to physician-researchers from Massachusetts Eye and Ear teaching hospital. This is the first documented case of vocal cord complications in a child or adolescent. The girl presented with respiratory distress and noisy breathing two weeks after testing positive for Covid-19. Doctors discovered that both of her vocal cords were paralyzed, leading to breathing difficulties. The girl underwent a tracheostomy and remained dependent on it for 15 months. This case highlights the need for awareness of potential long-term neurotrophic effects of Covid-19 in young individuals.
A 15-year-old girl in Boston experienced vocal cord paralysis after contracting COVID-19, resulting in difficulty breathing and speaking. Doctors performed a tracheostomy to alleviate her symptoms, allowing her to breathe and speak more easily. Despite speech therapy not improving her condition, the girl was able to have the tube removed just in time for her high school graduation and prom. This is the first reported case of vocal cord paralysis in a child following a COVID-19 infection, highlighting the need for awareness of potential complications in pediatric patients.
