Refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia with concomitant acute cerebral infarction in a child: A case report and literature review

RATIONALE: Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia, a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia in children, is rarely complicated with acute cerebral infarction. PATIENT CONCERNS: We present a 7-year-old boy with severe M pneumoniae pneumonia who developed impaired consciousness, aphasia, and reduced limb muscle power 7 days postadmission. DIAGNOSES: Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia with concomitant acute cerebral infarction. INTERVENTIONS: The patient recovered with aggressive antibiotic therapy, antiinflammation therapy with methylprednisolone, and gamma immunoglobulin and anticoagulation therapy with aspirin and low molecular weight heparin along with rehabilitation training. OUTCOMES: At 8 days postadmission, his consciousness was improved and at the 6-month follow-up visit, his muscle power of bilateral upper and lower limbs was normal except still poor right handgrip power. LESSONS: Stroke or cerebral infarction should be considered and promptly managed in rare cases of M pneumoniae pneumonia with neurologic manifestations.