First case of vocal cord paralysis following Covid infection in teenager reported in new study

First paediatric case of vocal cord paralysis following COVID-19 infection reported by physician-researchers at Massachusetts Eye and Ear hospital. May be another addition to neuropathic complications observed in children & adults.

Researchers have described the first paediatric case of vocal cord paralysis following COVID-19 infection in a new study.

The physician-researchers at Massachusetts Eye and Ear hospital in the U.S. have concluded that the paralysis was likely a downstream effect of the viral infection, and that it may be another addition to the "well-established" nervous system-related or neuropathic complications observed in children and adults.

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The patient, an otherwise healthy 15-year-old female, was presented to the emergency department 13 days after diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection with acute onset shortness of breath, the researchers described in their study published in the journal Pediatrics. She had a history of asthma and anxiety.

An endoscopic examination revealed bilateral vocal cord paralysis, which refers to an immobility of both vocal cords found in the voice box or the 'larynx', the researchers said.

"Given how common this virus is among children, this newly recognised potential complication should be considered in any child presenting with a breathing, talking or swallowing complaint after a recent COVID-19 diagnosis," said first author Danielle Reny Larrow, a resident in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Massachusetts Eye and Ear.

"This is especially important as such complaints could be easily attributed to more common diagnoses such as asthma," said Dr. Larrow.