Acute symptomatic epileptic seizures associated with COVID-19

Abstract

Acute symptomatic epileptic seizures occur in close temporal relationship with an acute structural or functional damage of the brain, which can have many different causes. Neurological symptoms, such as encephalopathy, anosmia and headache have been frequently reported in patients with COVID-19. Epileptic seizures occur in only 1–2% of all persons hospitalized with COVID-19. A possible direct effect by invasion of the CNS by SARS-CoV‑2 and indirect effects due to hypoxia, inflammation and metabolic derangements, have been discussed as potential causes of the neurological manifestations in COVID-19.