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Review
. 2018 Mar;32(1):145-162.
doi: 10.1016/j.idc.2017.10.007. Epub 2017 Dec 8.

Encephalitis in US Children

Kevin Messacar  1 , Marc Fischer  2 , Samuel R Dominguez  3 , Kenneth L Tyler  4 , Mark J Abzug  3
Affiliations
Review

Encephalitis in US Children

Kevin Messacar et al. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2018 Mar.

Abstract

Encephalitis is an uncommon but severe disease characterized by neurologic dysfunction with central nervous system inflammation. Children with encephalitis should receive supportive care and empiric therapies for common and treatable causes while prioritizing diagnostic evaluation for common, treatable, and high-risk conditions. Even with an extensive diagnostic workup, an infectious cause is identified in less than half of cases, suggesting a role for postinfectious or noninfectious processes.

Keywords: Anti-NMDA; Arbovirus; Encephalitis; Enterovirus; Herpes simplex virus; Meningoencephalitis; Myelitis.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Overview of Diagnostic Criteria for Encephalitis
The major criterion required to meet the case definition for encephalitis is altered mental status >24 hours without alternative cause identified. Two additional minor criteria are required for possible encephalitis, wherease three or more additional minor criteria are required for probable encephalitis. Confirmed encephalitis additionally requires brain tissue pathology with inflammation, a diagnosis of a microorganism strongly associated with encephalitis, or laboratory evidence of an autoimmune condition strongly associated with encephalitis. Abbreviations: EEG=electroencephalogram, c/w=consistent with, CSF=cerebrospinal fluid
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