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Post-varicella intracranial haemorrhage in a child

Nasuda Danchaivijitr1, Elena Miravet, Dawn E Saunders

  • 1Department of Radiology, Great Ormond Street Hospital, UK.

Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology
|January 19, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection can cause primary intracranial hemorrhage in children, leading to neurological issues like seizures. This rare complication highlights VZV as a potential risk factor for pediatric intracranial bleeding.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Vascular Neurology

Background:

  • Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is a common childhood infection.
  • Arterial ischemic stroke is a known complication of VZV infection in children.
  • Primary intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is a rare but serious VZV-associated event.

Observation:

  • A 7-month-old male developed primary ICH two months post-VZV infection.
  • Initial symptoms included seizures and right hemiparesis.
  • Residual finding at 22 months was left hand preference.

Findings:

  • The patient experienced an anterior interhemispheric hemorrhage.
  • A focal arteritis of the left anterior cerebral artery was identified.
  • The vascular abnormality was transient, showing features of arteritis or vasospasm.

Implications:

  • VZV may directly invade cerebral vessels, causing necrotizing angiitis and ICH.
  • VZV infection should be considered a potential risk factor for ICH in children.
  • This case expands the understanding of VZV-related cerebrovascular complications.

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