Dexamethasone treatment of SARS-CoV-2 Infection presenting as Acute
Chest Syndrome in a Pediatric Patient with Sickle Cell Disease (HbSD-Los
Angeles): Case Report and Review of the Literature.
Abstract
ABSTRACT Background: Hemoglobin D – Los Angeles (HbD) is a variant
hemoglobin that can polymerize in the deoxygenated state. When
co-inherited with Hemoglobin S (HbSD disease) a severe sickling syndrome
can result. Infection with SARS-CoV-2 has been associated with acute
chest syndrome (ACS) in individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD), but
this complication has not previously been reported in patients with
HbSD. Dexamethasone has been shown to improve outcomes in non-sickle
cell patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia or adult respiratory distress
syndrome (ARDS); however, its use in SCD patients with ACS is
controversial due to a reported increased risk of complications
including vaso-occlusive painful episodes (VOE). Procedure: Case Report
and literature review focusing on the management of pediatric SCD
patients with SARS-CoV-2 associated ACS. Results: A 7-year-old female
with HbSD presented with fever, cough, shortness of breath, hypoxia and
pulmonary infiltrates consistent with ACS. She tested positive for
SARS-CoV-2. She began treatment with dexamethasone (6 mg/ kg/ day
divided BID). She had a rapid recovery without sequalae from steroid
use. Literature review identified 39 pediatric patients with SCD and
COVID-19, of whom 21 (54%) had ACS. Simple transfusion (9 pts) and
exchange transfusion (3 pts) were the most frequently reported
treatment, with hydroxychloroquine (5 pts), remdesivir (1pt), and
tocilizumab (1 pt) also being reported. Three patients were treated with
dexamethasone. All 3 recovered and no adverse outcomes from steroid use
were reported. Conclusions: Further study is needed to determine the
optimal treatment of SARS-CoV-2 associated ACS; however, dexamethasone
should be considered.