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Development of an IFN-γ ELISpot Assay to Assess Varicella-Zoster Virus-specific Cell-mediated Immunity Following Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation
08:04

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[Postvaricella cerebellar ataxia in children in Costa Rica]

K Camacho-Badilla1, I Méndez, A Soriano-Fallas

  • 1Servicio de Infectología, Hospital Nacional de Niños Dr. Carlos Sáenz Herrera, San José, Costa Rica. katcabo@yahoo.com

Anales De Pediatria (Barcelona, Spain : 2003)
|January 16, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Postvaricella cerebellar ataxia (PVCA) is a common complication of chickenpox in children. While generally favorable, some patients experience neurological sequelae, and acyclovir

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases

Context:

  • Chickenpox (varicella) can lead to acute neurological complications, including postvaricella cerebellar ataxia (PVCA) and meningoencephalitis.
  • Routine varicella immunization is not yet available in many developing countries, making PVCA a significant concern in pediatric populations.
  • Understanding the clinical course of PVCA is crucial for effective management and prognosis in resource-limited settings.

Purpose:

  • To describe the clinical presentation, management strategies, and patient outcomes for children hospitalized with PVCA.
  • To analyze the characteristics of PVCA in a developing country's sole pediatric hospital.
  • To evaluate the effectiveness of treatments like intravenous acyclovir and the utility of neuroimaging.

Summary:

  • A retrospective review of 37 children with PVCA revealed a mean age of 5 years, with 64.9% being boys.
  • Cerebrospinal fluid analysis was normal in all tested patients, while head CT showed cerebral edema in 33.3%.
  • Intravenous acyclovir did not significantly alter outcomes, and 19% of patients remained ataxic at discharge, with 54.2% experiencing minor sequelae.

Impact:

  • PVCA typically has a favorable prognosis, but neurological sequelae can occur, impacting long-term outcomes.
  • The study questions the definitive utility of acyclovir treatment and routine brain imaging in managing pediatric PVCA.
  • Findings highlight the need for further research into optimal PVCA management, especially in regions without widespread varicella vaccination.
Abstract

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