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Baby's Brain Attacked by Rare Covid Complication
28 Feb
Summary
- A 17-month-old girl developed a severe brain condition due to asymptomatic Covid.
- Her parents described her body stiffening as if turning to stone.
- The child faced a 50% survival chance and underwent extensive rehabilitation.
A previously healthy 17-month-old girl, Lettie, suffered a rapid and severe neurological decline when asymptomatic Covid triggered acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE). This rare condition caused her brain to be attacked, leading her parents to describe her body as turning to stone. Initially believed to be a febrile seizure, her condition worsened, with her skin turning mottled purple.
Doctors diagnosed Lettie with ANE, a dangerous brain condition linked to viral infections, and informed her parents of her precarious 50/50 survival rate. The subsequent five days were critical for her recovery. Lettie required a ventilator and multiple medications, including steroids, during her over 100-day hospital stay.
Discharged in November 2025, Lettie began intensive physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech and language therapy. While she remains bed-bound and dependent, she is showing progress, including holding objects and improved vocalizations. Her parents are focused on raising awareness for ANE and celebrating her daily improvements.
