Pulmonary embolism in an adolescent with COVID-19 pneumonia.

Abstract

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.