Acute viral encephalitis in children.
Fifty-seven cases satisfying criteria of the diagnosis of acute viral encephalitis were studied. They were divided into two groups: Group 1 (presumed), 48 cases; Group 2 (postinfectious), nine cases. A possible association of viral aetiology was found in 26%. Viruses isolated were: influenza (3 cases), Coxsackie virus (2), adenovirus (2), mixed cytomegalovirus and adenovirus and herpes simplex viruses (1 case each). The mortality rate was 28%. Among the 41 survivors, 76% were completely normal and 24% had neurological sequelae with focal neurological deficit in 29%; personality changes in 6%; moderate mental retardation in 2%; severe mental retardation in 4%; hyperactivity in 4% and epilepsy in 4%. The best predictors to unfavourable outcome were the rapid rate of deterioration in conscious level after admission and the age of the patients.
Wong
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Department of Paediatrics, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital.
Yeung
C Y
CY
D000208:Acute Disease; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000401:mortality; D004668:Encephalitis Viruses / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed