Tick-borne encephalitis in Styrian children from 1981 to 2005: a retrospective study and a review of the literature.
BACKGROUND
Tick-borne encephalitis in children appears to be more benign than in adults and shows also a more favourable outcome. Only some authors report of sequelae like paralysis, paresis or seizures and behavioural abnormalities. The aim was to describe the clinical features of tick-borne encephalitis in children with special attention to sequelae and to review the literature.


METHODS
Retrospective review of all charts of children with serologically confirmed tick-borne encephalitis hospitalised in Styria between 1981 and 2005.


RESULTS
One hundred sixteen children were diagnosed with tick-borne encephalitis. Ninety-two children (79.3%) developed meningitis and 24 (20.7%) meningoencephalitis. Eleven patients with meningoencephalitis showed somnolence, 5 confusion, 5 tremors, 2 facial palsy, 1 ataxia, 1 epileptic seizure and 1 hemi paresis. Seven patients had to be admitted to the intensive care unit. Two children (1.7%) developed long time neurological sequelae: one epileptic seizure with requirement of antiepileptic therapy and one left-sided hemi paresis. One hundred twelve children had been not and 3 incompletely vaccinated against tick-borne encephalitis. Only one child had been fully vaccinated according to the Austrian vaccination schedule.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study provides further evidence that tick-borne encephalitis in children has a substantial morbidity and in single cases severe long-time neurological sequelae are observed.
Fritsch
Peter
P
Department of General Paediatrics, Medical University of Graz, Austria. peter.fritsch@meduni-graz.at
Gruber-Sedlmayr
Ursula
U
Pansi
Heike
H
Zöhrer
Bettina
B
Mutz
Ingomar
I
Spork
Dietmar
D
Zenz
Werner
W
D000293:Adolescent; D001317:Austria / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004675:Encephalitis, Tick-Borne / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008499:Medical Records; D008581:Meningitis / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008590:Meningoencephalitis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014765:Viral Vaccines
D014765:Viral Vaccines