Abdominal distension: an important feature in human parechovirus infection.
A total of 8 infants presenting with sepsis-like illness were diagnosed to have human parechovirus (HPeV) infection; of which, 5 had abdominal distension and 6 had an erythematous rash. A combination of abdominal distension and erythematous rash was observed in 4 infants. The abdominal symptoms can be very prominent and signs could be confused with acute surgical conditions. Although fever and central nervous symptoms are important features, a red rash with abdominal distension and a low C-reactive protein value and lymphocyte count can be clues to recognize this infection.
Department of Infection, Evelina Children's Hospital, Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Trust, London, UK. harish.bangalore@nhs.net
Harish
H
Bangalore
Javeed
J
Ahmed
John
J
Bible
Esse Natasha
EN
Menson
Andrew
A
Durward
Cheuk Yan William
CY
Tong
D000005:Abdomen / Q000473:pathology*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D005076:Exanthema / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D030061:Parechovirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010850:Picornaviridae Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology*
D002097:C-Reactive Protein