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. 2021 Mar:86:16-18.
doi: 10.1016/j.seizure.2021.01.009. Epub 2021 Jan 23.

Seizure is a rare presenting manifestation of COVID-19

Abdolkhalegh Keshavarzi  1 , Ghasem Janbabaei  2 , Leila Kheyrati  3 , Leila Hoseini Ghavamabad  4 , Ali A Asadi-Pooya  5
Affiliations

Seizure is a rare presenting manifestation of COVID-19

Abdolkhalegh Keshavarzi et al. Seizure. 2021 Mar.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the current study was to investigate whether seizure is among the presenting manifestations of COVID-19.

Methods: All patients referred to emergency rooms anywhere in Iran between 12 and 25 April 2020 and who were sufficiently ill to require hospital admission with COVID-19, confirmed by a positive COVID-19 test, were studied. Data on the presenting manifestations were collected.

Results: Of 5872 people, who were admitted to hospitals in Iran with COVID-19 during the study period, 45 came to the emergency room with seizures. This makes seizure as the presenting manifestation of COVID-19 in 0.8 % of all patients with a severe illness. 93 % of the patients were 15 years of age and older. Four of the individuals presenting with seizures (9%) had a past history of epilepsy. Fifteen of these individuals (33 %) had other chronic medical conditions (e.g., cancer, diabetes mellitus, heart disease, etc.).

Conclusion: This case series provides evidence that seizures are among the presenting manifestations of COVID-19 in 0.8 % of the patients who are admitted to hospital due to a severe illness.

Keywords: COVID; Coronavirus; Epilepsy; Pandemic; Seizure.

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Conflict of interest statement

Ali A. Asadi-Pooya, M.D.: Honoraria from Cobel Daruo, RaymandRad and Tekaje; Royalty: Oxford University Press (Book publication). Others: none.

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