Rare Blue Eye Discoloration Linked to Favipiravir Antiviral in Infant with COVID-19
A six-month-old boy developed a striking,unusual side effect – a temporary blue discoloration of the corneas – after being treated with the antiviral drug favipiravir for a severe case of COVID-19,according to a new report published in Frontiers in Pediatrics. The case highlights the need for continued vigilance regarding the safety profile of favipiravir, especially in young children.
The infant, from China, was hospitalized after experiencing fever and cough for 24 hours. A nasal swab confirmed a SARS-CoV-2 infection, prompting doctors to administer favipiravir, an antiviral originally developed for influenza. However, just 18 hours after beginning the treatment, the child’s mother noticed a dramatic change: her baby’s normally brown eyes had turned blue.
Doctors observed that the bluish tint was localized to the cornea, with no discoloration appearing on other parts of the child’s body. “The cornea had taken on a bluish color,” doctors noted in their report. Despite the alarming visual change, the infant’s overall condition improved after three days of treatment.
Concerned about the potential link between the drug and the eye discoloration, the pediatrician opted to discontinue favipiravir earlier than planned. Remarkably, five days after stopping the medication, the baby’s eyes had regained their normal color. A follow-up ophthalmological examination two weeks post-infection revealed no lasting damage to the eyes.
This rare side effect, while concerning, appears to be reversible upon cessation of the drug. Experts suggest the prolonged recovery time in this infant – compared to the typical 24-hour return to normal for adults experiencing similar side effects – might potentially be attributed to the baby’s young age and a slower rate of drug elimination due to decreased urinary speed.
Favipiravir has been identified as a key oral antiviral treatment for children with COVID-19, but this case underscores the importance of ongoing safety monitoring. Researchers have also observed that favipiravir can, in some patients, cause fluorescence in hair and nails. This phenomenon is believed to be linked to the drug itself,its metabolites,or excipients within the tablet,such as titanium dioxide and iron oxide. The intensity of this fluorescence appears to correlate with the drug’s concentration in the body, prompting manufacturers to re-evaluate dosage formulations.
“Even though favipiravir is currently the gold standard oral antiviral treatment in children with Covid-19,its safety profile in growing children remains uncertain,” the scientists concluded. “Thus, long-term monitoring of the safety of favipiravir in pediatric patients is paramount.” Further studies are needed to determine if this adverse effect carries any long-term health consequences.
Why did this happen? A six-month-old boy in China developed a temporary blue discoloration of his corneas after receiving favipiravir to treat a severe COVID-19 infection. The discoloration is believed to be a rare side effect of the drug.
Who was involved? The patient was a six-month-old boy from China. Doctors and researchers involved in his care and the subsequent report published in Frontiers in Pediatrics also played a role.
What occurred? The infant experienced a noticeable blue tint to his corneas 18 hours after starting favipiravir treatment. The drug was discontinued, and the eye color returned to normal five days later, with no lasting damage.
How did it end? The infant fully recovered, with his eyes regaining their original color and no long-term effects observed during a follow-up examination two weeks after the infection. The case prompted a call for continued safety monitoring of fav
