Eastern equine encephalitis in children, Massachusetts and New Hampshire,USA, 1970-2010.
We describe the clinical, laboratory, and radiographic characteristics of 15 cases of eastern equine encephalitis in children during 1970-2010. The most common clinical and laboratory features were fever, headache, seizures, peripheral leukocytosis, and cerebrospinal fluid neutrophilic pleocytosis. Radiographic lesions were found in the basal ganglia, thalami, and cerebral cortex. Clinical outcomes included severe neurologic deficits in 5 (33%) patients, death of 4 (27%), full recovery of 4 (27%), and mild neurologic deficits in 2 (13%). We identify an association between a short prodrome and an increased risk for death or for severe disease.
Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts,USA.
Michael A
MA
Silverman
John
J
Misasi
Sandra
S
Smole
Henry A
HA
Feldman
Adam B
AB
Cohen
Sandro
S
Santagata
Michael
M
McManus
Asim A
AA
Ahmed
D000293:Adolescent; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000821:virology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D020242:Encephalomyelitis, Eastern Equine / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000821:virology; D006261:Headache / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts; D009513:New Hampshire; D062706:Prodromal Symptoms; D011859:Radiography; D012640:Seizures / Q000821:virology; D016896:Treatment Outcome