In a new post-COVID complication, 14-yr-old treated of Miller Fischer Syndrome

It is a rare medical condition in which the immune system attacks the nerves after being triggered by acute bacterial or viral infection. This is a variant of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), doctors said.

The patient initially developed double vision and difficulty in walking. After about five days, he was brought to Kauvery Hospital, where the doctors noted that the child had tested positive for COVID-19. After noticing several other symptoms, including hazed vision, general weakness, challenge in walking and a tingling sensation in the limbs, doctors found out that the patient had developed Miller Fischer Syndrome.

Dr Bhuvaneshwari Rajendran, lead consultant and neurologist at Kauvery Hospital, said that GBS was a rare disorder. “Guillain-Barre Syndrome is an immune mediated condition affecting the nerves that comes post bacterial or viral infection, and can leave the patient in a paralytic state unless treated early.”

Special provision was made for one parent, wearing a PPE kit, to stay with the boy. After intensive treatment for six days, the patient was able to walk without support and was discharged. Doctors said that post COVID-19 complications were posing a bigger risk, and added that it was challenging to diagnose and treat the rare neurological condition.

Dr Vijayalakshmi Balakrishnan, senior infectious diseases specialist, said lung complications, heart attacks, stroke and vascular complications were observed in patients, even after 3-6 months of recovery. “Some patients with mild COVID-19 also subsequently develop neuro and vascular complications,” she said.