title: Variability in the Diagnosis of Encephalitis by Pediatric Subspecialists: The Need For a Uniform Definition.
abstract: Research definitions of encephalitis vary widely. When surveyed on the criteria used in clinical diagnosis, 88 pediatric specialists demonstrated diverse responses, with pediatric neurologists and pediatric infectious disease specialists differing significantly in their consideration of cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis and abnormal neuroimaging. Results emphasize the need for a uniform definition.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Massachusetts; and kelly.flett@childrens.harvard.edu.
authors.forename: Kelly B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Flett
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases.
authors.forename: Suchitra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases.
authors.forename: Samuel R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Dominguez
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora.
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bernard
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases.
authors.forename: Mary P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Glode
keywords: Definition; Diagnosis; Encephalitis