Evaluation of Pediatric Patients Diagnosed with Encephalitis: Single Center Experience

Objectives: Encephalitis is a potentially fatal inflammation of the brain parenchyma characterized by neurologic dysfunction. Although the etiology of most encephalitis cases cannot be determined, viruses are the most common known causative agents. In this study, pediatric patients diagnosed with encephalitis were evaluated in terms of etiology, clinical findings, laboratory and imaging results, treatment, and prognosis.
Methods: A total of 115 patients aged 1 month to 18 years who were diagnosed with encephalitis between January 2008 and December 2020 were retrospectively evaluated in the Pediatric Infection Clinic of our hospital.
Results: The study included 115 children, of whom 36% (n=41) were girls and 64% (n=74) were boys. The disease was most frequently observed in children younger than 5 years of age (48%). The most common symptoms at admission were fever (54.8%), convulsions (46%), and impaired consciousness (27%). The etiology was identified in 67% of the patients; viral agents were the most common cause (44%). Varicella zoster virus (VZV) was the most common etiologic agent (26.9%). Acyclovir treatment was initiated in 94% (n=108) of the patients. Sequelae developed in 6% (n=7) of the patients, and mortality occurred in 1.7% (n=2).
Conclusion: In the presence of suspected encephalitis, antiviral treatment should be initiated early, considering the mortality and morbidity associated with the disease, and then continued with treatment appropriate to the identified etiology. Studies investigating etiology will be useful in determining the prognosis of encephalitis cases.

Keywords: Child, encephalitis, etiology