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Induction and Clinical Scoring of Chronic-Relapsing Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
Published on: July 4, 2007
Clinical evaluation of encephalitis
1Child Health Department, Medical School, University of North Sumatera, Medan.
Insights
This study reviewed 325 pediatric encephalitis cases, finding most occurred before age 3. Common symptoms included fever, seizures, and altered consciousness, with a significant mortality rate of 21.53%.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Child Health
Background:
- Encephalitis is a significant neurological condition in children.
- Understanding its epidemiology and clinical features is crucial for effective management.
- This study focuses on pediatric encephalitis cases in Medan, Indonesia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the clinical characteristics, associated diseases, and outcomes of pediatric encephalitis.
- To determine the mortality rate and identify risk factors in children diagnosed with encephalitis.
- To provide insights into the management of encephalitis in a pediatric population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 325 pediatric encephalitis inpatients.
- Data collected from 1985 to 1988 at Dr. Pirngadi Hospital, Medan.
- Analysis of demographic data, clinical features, associated diseases, cerebrospinal fluid findings, and mortality.
Main Results:
- Encephalitis predominantly affected children under 3 years old (76.80%).
- Common clinical features included sudden fever, convulsions, and depressed consciousness.
- Cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed mild lymphocytic pleocytosis and slightly elevated protein.
- The overall mortality rate was 21.53%, with no significant difference based on sex or age group.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric encephalitis is a serious condition with a high mortality rate.
- Early recognition of clinical features like fever, seizures, and altered consciousness is vital.
- Further research is needed to explore specific etiologies and optimize treatment strategies.
Abstract:
A series of 325 or 31.11% children out of 1045 inpatients of neurological cases diagnosed as encephalitis was reviewed in Pediatrics Neurology Subdivision Child Health Department, Medical School, University of North Sumatera/Dr. Pirngadi Hospital Medan since 1985 to 1988. Boys were more than girls with the ratio of 4:3. Most encephalitis cases (249 or 76.80%) of children occurred in the early age namely before 3 years. Associated diseases were respiratory disease in 61 (45.61%) cases, gastrointestinal disease in 48 (34.67%) cases and measles in 13 (9.35%) cases. There were three mayor clinical features of encephalitis i.e. sudden fever, convulsion and consciousness depression. The cerebrospinal fluid investigation might be normal. There was however mild to moderate lymphocitic pleiositosis with cell numbers varying from 20-200 per cubic mm. The protein content was slightly elevated. The mortality rate was 21.53% (70 cases). There was no significant difference (P greater than 0.05) found between mortality rate of boys and girls. There was no significant difference (P greater than 0.05) found between mortality rate below and above 3 years of age.
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