COVID-19 has been noted to present with neurological symptoms in nearly thirty percent of pa- tients. While children are more likely to be asymptomatic, neurological involvement has been observed. We present the case of a 23-month-old previously healthy female who was brought to the emergency room for a new-onset facial droop. The patient tested positive for COVID-19 but was otherwise asymptomatic. An MRI of the brain with and without contrast revealed abnormal enhancement along the canalicular segment of the right cranial VII extending to the first genu suggestive of cranial nerve neuritis. Given that our case involves a pediatric patient with no sig- nificant comorbidities presenting with facial drop, COVID-19 should be considered on the dif- ferential when evaluating causes of new onset peripheral nerve palsies.
COVID-19 as a Rare Cause of Facial Nerve Neuritis in a Pediatric Patient