Beyond Repair: A Case of Post-COVID Migraines, SVT, and Anxiety Resolved Through Gut-Brain-Cardiac Optimization

🧠 Restoring Balance: A Case of Post-COVID Migraines, SVT, and Anxiety Resolved Through Gut-Brain-Cardiac Optimization

By Dr. Davina A. Soernssen, DNP, FNP-BC, DCNP, FMCP

The Med Spa at Clinical Edge, Marlton, NJ

Introduction

Post-infectious dysautonomia in children has become an emerging concern following COVID-19. Many young patients present with migraines, palpitations, anxiety, and fatigue despite normal cardiac imaging and standard labs. Functional medicine offers a framework for understanding these cases through the gut–brain–cardiac axis—where microbial imbalance, immune activation, and nutrient deficiencies intersect to influence autonomic function.

Functional medicine case analysis of an 11-year-old with post-COVID migraines, SVT, and anxiety resolved through gut microbiome and food-sensitivity optimization.

Case Summary

An 11-year-old boy presented with recurrent migraines, anxiety, and supraventricular tachycardia (SVT).He had been born via cesarean section, breast-fed, and treated repeatedly with antibiotics for strep throat and bronchitis without probiotic support. Two COVID-19 infections with high fevers preceded the onset of heart irregularities and severe left-eye migraines.

His diet was mostly whole-food-based but included weekly processed treats such as pretzels, pizza, and commercial ice cream. No supplements were in use prior to evaluation.

Laboratory Evaluation

Stool culture (Doctor’s Data, June 2024):

4+ Citrobacter freundii complex (dysbiotic flora)
Absence of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species
Mild overgrowth of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus anginosus

These findings confirmed loss of beneficial flora and pathogenic dominance, consistent with post-antibiotic and post-viral dysbiosis.

Food Explorer IgG Panel (Diagnostic Solutions, Aug 2024):

High immune reactivity to dairy proteins, gluten, eggs, tomatoes, strawberries, and pineapple.
Moderate reactions to banana, almond, corn, and oats.

Results suggested intestinal permeability and immune-mediated inflammatory load.

Treatment Strategy

Antimicrobial Phase: Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim) directed at Citrobacter freundii based on sensitivity testing.
Elimination Diet: Removal of all reactive foods. The final trigger—popcorn—was identified and eliminated, leading to full migraine remission.
Gut Repair: L-glutamine, zinc carnosine, omega-3s, and Seed DS-01 Pediatric Synbiotic to restore mucosal integrity.
Lifestyle: Whole-food, anti-inflammatory nutrition plan, hydration, structured sleep, and moderate physical activity.

Within six weeks, all migraines and SVT episodes resolved completely.

Follow-Up

Medical Symptoms Questionnaire (MSQ) scores improved dramatically—from 58 (May 2024) to 3 (Oct 2025), a 95 % reduction in overall symptom burden.

Category	May 2024	Oct 2025	% Improvement	Notes
Head	10	0	100 %	Migraines resolved
ENT	9	0	100 %	No infections
Digestive	14	0	100 %	Normal function
Joints/Muscles	10	0	100 %	No pain
Energy/Mind	9	0	100 %	Stable mood
Emotions	0	3	—	Mild transient anxiety

Discussion

This case underscores how intestinal dysbiosis and food antigen load can drive autonomic instability in pediatric populations. Overgrowth of Citrobacter freundii and loss of beneficial flora likely increased lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure, fueling systemic inflammation and vagal dysregulation. High IgG reactivity to gluten and dairy further amplified immune activation, promoting endothelial and mitochondrial stress.

By correcting microbial imbalance and removing immune triggers, vagal tone normalized, leading to full neurological and cardiac recovery. These findings mirror adult studies linking microbiome diversity to improved autonomic balance and reduced post-viral syndromes.

Clinical Takeaways

Evaluate gut microbiota in pediatric patients with unexplained tachycardia, migraines, or anxiety.
Combine antimicrobial therapy with targeted microbiome restoration, not suppression alone.
Food-sensitivity testing can reveal overlooked inflammatory drivers in autonomic and neurovascular disorders.
Objective symptom tracking (MSQ scores) demonstrates tangible patient progress and supports outcome-based medicine.

Conclusion

Restoration of the gut–brain–cardiac axis resolved this child’s migraines, SVT, and anxiety without long-term medication. Functional medicine’s integrative approach—combining microbiome analysis, immune modulation, and nutrition-based repair—offers a promising paradigm for pediatric post-infectious dysautonomia. Concerned about your child, don't hesitate contact us today to get to the root cause.

References

Aponte, M. M., & Zierler, M. A. (2021). Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and the role of the gut microbiome in its pathogenesis. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 10(4), 742.
Cryan, J. F., & Dinan, T. G. (2012). Mind-altering microorganisms: The impact of the gut microbiota on brain and behavior. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 13(10), 701–712.
Fasano, A. (2012). Zonulin, regulation of tight junctions, and autoimmune diseases. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1258(1), 25–33.