LAUSR

Child was managed conservatively and was given pulse dose methyl prednisolone (30 mg/kg/day) for 3 days followed by tapering doses, in view of high inflammatory markers and no evidence of bacterial infection. Antibiotics and acyclovir were stopped after the confirmed diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 induced meningoencephalitis on day 4 of illness. Injection remdesivir was not given as a unit protocol as growing evidence did not found it beneficial to prevent mortality in SARS-CoV-2 positive patients and there is not much data of its use in children. Child’s sensorium gradually improved in next few days along with downward trend in inflammatory markers. His repeat RNAPCR for SARS-CoV-2 on nasopharyngeal swab was again positive on day 7 of illness and second CSF examination for the same was refused by the parents. In view of clinical improvement, he was subsequently discharged on request on day10 of illness as per the government’s discharge policy with strict home isolation advice. Subsequent RNA-PCR for SARSCoV-2 on nasopharyngeal swab became negative on day 15 of illness. Child is in close follow up and is doing well so far.