Severe COVID-19 Infection in an Infant With 8p Inverted Duplication/Deletion Syndrome: Is Vaccination Still a Debate?

Despite having a milder course of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in comparison to adults, children are at risk for more significant complications, including acute neurological, renal, respiratory, and cardiovascular complications. Acute complications can manifest as encephalopathy, renal injury, interstitial pneumonia, and heart failure. However, the most severe complication is multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, which often requires intensive care to manage the subsequent respiratory failure. Moreover, children with comorbidities such as chronic lung disease, neurological disorders, and cardiovascular disease are at an elevated risk of morbidity and mortality. Here, we present the case of an 11-month-old white female patient, previously unvaccinated against COVID-19, with chronic lung disease and the 8p inverted duplication/deletion (Inv dup del (8p)) syndrome who suffered from a severe COVID-19 infection. Initially presenting to the pediatric clinic with nasal congestion and respiratory distress, the patient’s condition rapidly deteriorated which necessitated immediate transfer to the nearest pediatric tertiary center. There, she was mechanically ventilated, received dexamethasone and remdesivir, and was hospitalized for 26 days, nine of which were in the pediatric intensive care unit. To date, there is no current literature on Inv dup del (8p) syndrome as a predisposing factor for severe COVID-19 infection. Therefore, further investigation is needed to determine if Inv dup del (8p) can predispose a patient to having a severe COVID-19 course.