Influenza A encephalitis with movement disorder.
Influenza A is an uncommon but well-recognized cause of viral encephalitis in childhood, occurring most commonly during community influenza outbreaks. The authors report four cases of influenza A encephalitis that occurred during an Australian epidemic in 1997-1998. Choreoathetosis during the acute phase of infection or basal ganglia involvement on neuroimaging was observed in three of the four patients. These findings in pediatric encephalitis are suggestive of influenza A infection and may guide investigation and early diagnosis.
Ryan
M M
MM
Department of Neurology, Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Procopis
P G
PG
Ouvrier
R A
RA
D001479:Basal Ganglia / Q000473:pathology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018792:Encephalitis, Viral / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000150:complications*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000821:virology*; D003294:Seizures, Febrile / Q000821:virology