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Seizures and encephalopathy as the presenting sign of viral gastroenteritis

Michael Weinstein1

  • 1The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. michael.weinstein@sickkids.ca

Pediatric Emergency Care
|August 17, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Encephalopathy is a common sign in hospitalized children with viral gastroenteritis, often presenting as seizures. While outcomes are good, it increases hospital stay and testing.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Viral gastroenteritis is a common cause of hospitalization in children.
  • Encephalopathy is a serious neurological complication that can occur in children.

Observation:

  • This study investigated the incidence, characteristics, and outcomes of encephalopathy in children hospitalized with viral gastroenteritis.
  • A retrospective chart review identified 181 children with viral gastroenteritis, of whom 13 (7.2%) presented with encephalopathy.
  • Encephalopathy presentations included febrile seizures, afebrile seizures, and altered consciousness.

Findings:

  • Cases and controls did not differ significantly in age or temperature.
  • Children with encephalopathy had a significantly longer hospital stay (7 vs. 4.3 days).
  • All children with encephalopathy recovered without long-term sequelae.

Implications:

  • Encephalopathy, including nonconvulsive and afebrile seizures, is a notable complication of viral gastroenteritis in children.
  • Prompt recognition and management are crucial, despite the generally good prognosis.
  • Increased diagnostic workups and prolonged hospitalizations are associated with encephalopathy in this population.
Abstract

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