European journal of paediatric neurology : EJPN : official journal of the European Paediatric Neurology Society
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Eur. J. Paediatr. Neurol. · Nov 2008
Childhood encephalitis in Sweden: etiology, clinical presentation and outcome.
Acute encephalitis is a relatively uncommon but potentially harmful CNS inflammation usually caused by infection. The diagnosis is difficult to establish and the etiology often remains unclear. Furthermore, the long-term prognosis of acute encephalitis in children is poorly described. ⋯ We conclude that the etiology of encephalitis among Swedish children is at large the same as in other European countries with similar vaccination programs. Fever and encephalopathy were seen in a majority of children and the most sensitive tool for making the diagnosis was EEG examination. Furthermore, many children display persisting sequele at discharge for which the strongest predictive factor was focal neurological findings at presentation.