J Korean Child Neurol Soc.  2017 Jun;25(2):99-105. 10.0000/jkcns.2017.25.2.99.

Predictive and Prognostic Factors of Viral Encephalitis in Pediatric Patients

• Kim J
• Park YG
• Lee J
• Kim JH
• Lee M
• Lee J

• KMID: 2385930
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.0000/jkcns.2017.25.2.99

Abstract

PURPOSE
Encephalitis is an inflammation affecting brain parenchyma. At the time of presentation, it may be difficult to differentiate between viral encephalitis and altered mental status or seizures during febrile illness. The aim of the present study is to identify the predictive factors and to determine the prognostic factors of viral encephalitis in children presenting as seizure with fever.
METHODS
From the retrospective review of the medical records, children with seizures or altered mental status during febrile illness who presented to Samsung Medical Center between January 2008 and May 2013 were included in the study.
RESULTS
81 patients were enrolled in this study (female:male=32:49). The mean age at admission was 4.9±4.3 years (range 0-14 years old). The patients were categorized into two groups according to the clinical diagnosis: (1) Viral encephalitis (VIRAL ENC, n=66), (2) Complex febrile seizures imitating viral encephalitis(C-FS, n=15). The predictive factors of viral encephalitis were focal and/or lateralized abnormalities in electroencephalography (EEG) (P<0.001).
CONCLUSION
EEG can be helpful to predict the viral encephalitis, in pediatric patient who shows delayed restoration of consciousness after seizure during febrile illness.

Keyword

Encephalitis; Predictive factor; Prognostic factor; EEG

MeSH Terms

Brain
Child
Consciousness
Diagnosis
Electroencephalography
Encephalitis
Encephalitis, Viral*
Fever
Humans
Inflammation
Medical Records
Retrospective Studies
Seizures
Seizures, Febrile