title: Brain abscesses in children: analysis of 20 cases presenting at a medical center.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Brain abscess is an uncommon intracranial suppuration, especially in children. We reviewed the records of children with brain abscess admitted to Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, and analyzed data on presenting symptoms, predisposing factors and outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Information was obtained retrospectively from medical records of children diagnosed with brain abscess. Demographic data, presenting symptoms, predisposing factors, sites of abscess, infectious organisms, treatment regimen, and prognosis were collected and analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty cases of brain abscess within an 11-year period were included in this study. Fever, seizure and focal neurological deficits were the most common presenting symptoms. Cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD), present in 35% of patients, was the most common predisposing factor. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common pathogen. Approximately two-thirds of cases followed up had some form of seizure disorder sequelae; such sequelae were more common in patients with the initial presentation of seizure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CCHD was the most common predisposing factor for brain abscess in children, and a high level of seizure disorder sequelae was noted. Children suffering from brain abscess, whose initial presentation reveals seizure, are at increased risk of further seizure disorder.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Taipei Veterans General Hospital and National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Kai-Liang
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Kao
authors.forename: Keh-Gong
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Chun-Jen
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jionn-Jong
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Ren-Bin
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Kai-Ping
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Tai-Tong
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Wong
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001922:Brain Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000150:complications; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000150:complications; D013624:Taiwan