A child with Henoch-Schonlein purpura secondary to a COVID-19 infection.

Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) is a common IgA-mediated small vessel vasculitis of childhood that affects several systems. It is characterised by a tetrad of dermatological, abdominal, joint and renal manifestations. HSP can occur secondary to upper respiratory tract infections, medications, vaccinations and malignancies. COVID-19 is caused by SARS-CoV-2, a single-stranded RNA virus from the Beta-Coronaviridae family, and often presents as a respiratory infection with symptoms ranging from a mild common cold-like illness to severe pneumonia. It has also been reported to exhibit extrapulmonary manifestations, including but not limited to cardiac, thrombotic, hepatocellular and dermatological complications. We report a case of a 4-year-old boy who presented with clinical features of HSP, with detailed history that revealed a recent recovery from a COVID-19 upper respiratory tract infection, indicating a possible correlation between the two.

A brain populated with space-occupying lesions: identifying the culprit.

This is a case of an 8-year-old girl who was previously healthy and presented with unresponsiveness on a background of fever that resolved within 2 days of onset. History was significant for recurrent dental abscesses requiring drainage. Imaging revealed what was unexpected: a brain overloaded with multiple space-occupying lesions and diffuse oedema. The patient was started on mannitol and dexamethasone in addition to antimicrobials. Her condition improved dramatically within few days. Multiple aspiration procedures were performed later and she recovered fully with minor deficits.