Complicated varicella zoster infection in 8 paediatric patients and review of literature.
BACKGROUND
This is a study of complicated varicella zoster infection in paediatric patients.


OBJECTIVE
To find out the number of patients with such complications, the types of complications and their outcome.


METHODS
This involved a retrospective review of the case records of 8 patients who presented to our unit over a 12-month period (Jan-Dec 96). All patients were previously well without any underlying immunodeficiency. Varicella zoster (VZ) infection was confirmed by VZ immunofluorescence from vesicular fluid.


RESULTS
CMS complications accounted for 6 of the 8 cases. Of these, 3 presented with encephalitis, 2 with cerebella ataxia and 1 with aseptic meningitis and cerebella ataxia. Of the non-CNS cases, 1 presented with glomerulonephritis with superimposed staphylococcus infection of skin ulcers; the other had disseminated VZ infection with haemorrhagic vesicles, hepatitis, ileus with mesenteric adenitis and disseminated intravascular coagulation.


RESULTS
The patient with disseminated VZ infection and multiple organ involvement died 5 days after a stormy course. One patient with encephalitis who had status epilepticus for 2 hours had behavioural problems and poor memory. The remaining 6 patients had no sequelae.


CONCLUSIONS
VZ infection usually a minor illness, can result in serious life-threatening complications in previously healthy patients.
Phuah
H K
HK
Department of Paediatrics, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore.
Chong
C Y
CY
Lim
K W
KW
Cheng
H K
HK
D002524:Cerebellar Ataxia / Q000821:virology; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000821:virology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004211:Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation / Q000821:virology; D018792:Encephalitis, Viral / Q000821:virology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005921:Glomerulonephritis / Q000821:virology; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000821:virology; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000821:virology; D008199:Lymphadenitis / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000821:virology; D008582:Meningitis, Aseptic / Q000821:virology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012883:Skin Ulcer / Q000382:microbiology; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000150:complications; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000821:virology