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Delirious behavior in children with acute necrotizing encephalopathy
Akihisa Okumura1, Masashi Mizuguchi, Hideo Aiba
1Department of Pediatrics, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. okumura@med.juntendo.ac.jp
Brain & Development
|October 10, 2008
Summary
Delirious behavior is common in acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE). Brainstem lesions are linked to this behavior, often appearing as an initial neurological symptom in affected children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Neuroinflammation
- Neuroradiology
Background:
- Acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE) is a rare neurological disorder.
- Understanding the clinical manifestations of ANE is crucial for timely diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize delirious behavior in pediatric patients diagnosed with acute necrotizing encephalopathy.
- To investigate the association between delirious behavior and specific neuroimaging findings in ANE.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 38 children with ANE based on neuroradiological findings.
- Comparison of clinical features, laboratory data, neuroimaging, and outcomes between patients with and without delirious behavior.
- Detailed investigation of the chronological sequence and characteristics of delirious behavior.
Main Results:
- Delirious behavior was observed in 8 out of 38 patients (21%).
- Brainstem lesions were significantly more frequent in patients exhibiting delirious behavior.
- Delirious behavior often presented as the initial neurological symptom, preceding stupor and seizures.
Conclusions:
- Delirious behavior is a notable clinical feature in pediatric acute necrotizing encephalopathy.
- Brainstem lesions are strongly associated with the occurrence of delirious behavior in ANE patients.
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