Orbito-Frontal Cortex Hypometabolism in Children With Post-COVID Condition (Long COVID): A Preliminary Experience
Fabrizio Cocciolillo, Daniela Di Giuda, Rosa Morello, Cristina De Rose, Piero Valentini, Danilo Buonsenso
Abstract
We describe 3 children with new-onset neurocognitive problems after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), that showed, at the brain [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography, hypometabolism in the left orbito-frontal region. The voxel-wise analysis confirmed a cluster of hypometabolic voxels in this region with a peak at -18/46/-4mm (179 voxels, T-Score 8.1). These findings may explain neurocognitive symptoms that some children develop after COVID-19 and require further investigations.
Topics & Concepts
VoxelCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)NeurocognitivePositron emission tomographySevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)2019-20 coronavirus outbreakFrontal cortexCluster (spacecraft)NeuroimagingMedicineNeurosciencePsychologyNuclear medicinePathologyDiseaseRadiologyInternal medicineCognitionComputer scienceInfectious disease (medical specialty)OutbreakProgramming languageLong-Term Effects of COVID-19Intensive Care Unit Cognitive DisordersCerebrospinal fluid and hydrocephalus