To study the clinical profile of acute encephalitic syndrome in children aged 3 months to 12 years

Abstract

Background: Acute encephalitic syndrome (AES) poses challenges to physicians owing to acute presentation, often rapid deterioration with various causes including infective inflammatory conditions of central nervous system. Thus, the aim of our study was to assess clinical profile of AES and to assess the outcome of management of AES in children. Materials and Methods: For this hospital-based observational prospective study, 32 clinically diagnosed hospitalized AES children, as per WHO case definition over a period of 2 years consecutively were enrolled. Cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) samples were tested for viral PCR and MRI was performed in all cases. Results: Major clinical manifestations were seizures 24 (75%), vomiting (40.6%) and abnormal gait (31.2%) were noted. Dengue infection was most common etiology for AES followed by Covid-19 infection and Tubercular meningitis. Rabies encephalitis, Autoimmune encephalitis, HSV encephalitis and Pneumococcal meningitis were also found among the study samples. Conclusion: The most common causes found in our study were Dengue fever and Covid-19 infection, therefore, one should be aware of common etiological agents causing AES as well as newer etiological agents like Covid-19 which might come in the future.