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Review
. 2022 Feb 11;11(4):934.
doi: 10.3390/jcm11040934.

A Comprehensive Review of Neuromuscular Manifestations of COVID-19 and Management of Pre-Existing Neuromuscular Disorders in Children

Daniel J Goetschius  1 , Yunsung Kim  1 , Ashutosh Kumar  2 , Dustin Paul  3 , Sunil Naik  2
Affiliations
Review

A Comprehensive Review of Neuromuscular Manifestations of COVID-19 and Management of Pre-Existing Neuromuscular Disorders in Children

Daniel J Goetschius et al. J Clin Med. .

Abstract

Since the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, several studies have been published describing neuromuscular manifestations of the disease, as well as management of pre-existing pediatric neuromuscular disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic. These disorders include muscular dystrophies, myasthenic syndromes, peripheral nerve disorders, and spinal muscular atrophy. Such patients are a vulnerable population due to frequent complications such as scoliosis, cardiomyopathy, and restrictive lung disease that put them at risk of severe complications of COVID-19. In this review, neuromuscular manifestations of COVID-19 in children and the management of pre-existing pediatric neuromuscular disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic are discussed. We also review strategies to alleviate pandemic-associated disruptions in clinical care and research, including the emerging role of telemedicine and telerehabilitation to address the continued special needs of these patients.

Keywords: COVID-19; MIS-C; SARS-CoV-2; children; muscular dystrophy; neuromuscular; pediatric; spinal muscular atrophy; telemedicine; treatment.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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