Vaping in today’s pandemic: E-cigarette, or vaping, product use–associated lung injury mimicking COVID-19 in teenagers presenting with respiratory distress

The clinical presentation of children and adolescents infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 can range from asymptomatic to mild or moderate manifestations. We present a case series of three adolescents who presented during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic with...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Daphne O Darmawan, Kriti Gwal, Brian D Goudy, Sanjay Jhawar, Kiran Nandalike
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2020-10-01
Series:SAGE Open Medical Case Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/2050313X20969590
Description
Summary:The clinical presentation of children and adolescents infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 can range from asymptomatic to mild or moderate manifestations. We present a case series of three adolescents who presented during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic with symptoms concerning for COVID-19, including fever, abdominal symptoms, cough, respiratory distress, and hypoxemia. Their laboratory results showed elevated inflammatory markers that are also commonly seen in COVID-19. The chest imaging studies mimicked COVID-19 with non-specific ground glass opacities and interstitial prominence patterns. However, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 testing was negative and further questioning of these adolescents and their parents revealed a history of vaping marijuana-related products leading to the eventual diagnosis of e-cigarette, or vaping, product use–associated lung injury. Our patients were successfully treated with corticosteroids. The providers caring for pediatric patients, especially adolescents, should continue to have a high index of suspicion for e-cigarette, or vaping, product use–associated lung injury in patients presenting with unexplained respiratory failure, while ruling out COVID-19.
ISSN:2050-313X