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Published on: January 28, 2019
Acute encephalopathy and rhabdomyolysis following rotavirus gastroenteritis
Koichi Minami1, Akira Tamura, Yuki Komori
1Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Japan. kminami@wakayama-med.ac.jp
Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health
|January 9, 2007
Insights
Rotavirus gastroenteritis can cause severe illness in children. This case highlights unusual neurological complications, including acute encephalopathy and rhabdomyolysis, following rotavirus infection.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Neurology
- Virology
Background:
- Rotavirus is a leading cause of severe gastroenteritis in infants and young children globally.
- While primarily affecting the gastrointestinal tract, rotavirus has been associated with various extraintestinal manifestations.
- Understanding these rare complications is crucial for timely diagnosis and management.
Observation:
- A 6-month-old infant presented with symptoms of severe gastroenteritis.
- Following the gastroenteritis, the infant developed acute encephalopathy, characterized by altered mental status and neurological dysfunction.
- The infant also exhibited signs of rhabdomyolysis, a condition involving muscle breakdown.
Findings:
- The clinical presentation was strongly linked to a preceding rotavirus infection.
- This case represents a rare instance of combined acute encephalopathy and rhabdomyolysis secondary to rotavirus gastroenteritis.
- Diagnostic workup confirmed rotavirus as the causative agent.
Implications:
- This case underscores the potential for severe neurological and muscular complications associated with rotavirus infection in infants.
- Early recognition of these extraintestinal manifestations is vital for appropriate pediatric care.
- Further research may elucidate the pathogenic mechanisms linking rotavirus to these severe outcomes.
Abstract:
Rotavirus is a common cause of severe gastroenteritis in children, and other unusual extraintestinal manifestations have also been attributed to the virus. We report a case of acute encephalopathy and rhabdomyolysis following rotavirus gastroenteritis in a 6-month-old infant.
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