Epidemiological Profile of Acute Viral Encephalitis in a Sample of Egyptian Children

INTRODUCTION: Acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) is a considerable public health problem. AIM: This study was designed to describe the aetiology, demographic features, clinical picture, short-term outcome and risk factors of mortality of children with viral encephalitis in Egyptian children. METHODS: PCR detection of viruses in the CSF of pediatric patients admitted to the pediatric unit or ICU Cairo University Pediatric hospital presenting with encephalitis syndrome. RESULTS: Of the 96 patients included in the study, viral etiological agents were detected in 20 cases (20.8%), while 76 patients (79.2%) had no definite viral aetiology. The most abundant virus detected was Enterovirus (EV) in fourteen (14.5%), two (2.1%) were positive for human herpes simplex virus 6 (HSV-6), one (1.0%), human herpes simplex virus1 (HSV-1), one (1.0%) Epstein Barr virus (EBV), one (1.0%), cytomegalovirus (CMV) and one (1.0%) with varicella-zoster virus (VZV). On the short term outcome, 22 (22.9) patients died, and 74 (77.1%) survived. Severity outcome among survival was vegetative in three cases (4%) severe in 9 (12.16%), moderate in 14 (18.9%), mild in 29 (39.2%) and full recovery in 19 (25.6%). Mortality risk factors for younger age, the presence of apnea, the need for mechanical ventilation and the presence of abnormal CT findings were all significantly associated with fatal outcome (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Enterovirus was the most common cause of encephalitis among Egyptian children. Mortality was correlated with younger age and disease severity at admission. Sequelae were high among infected children.