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Published on: December 10, 2013

Benign acute childhood myositis following human parainfluenza virus type-1 infection

Emma Tippett1, Ronald Clark

  • 1Department of Emergency Medicine, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. emmadtippett@gmail.com

Emergency Medicine Australasia : EMA
|June 14, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Benign acute childhood myositis (BACM) can occur after respiratory infections. This study details a BACM cluster in children infected with human parainfluenza virus, not influenza.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Benign acute childhood myositis (BACM) is a common post-viral illness in children, typically following influenza.
  • It presents as acute calf pain, tenderness, and reluctance to walk during the recovery phase of infection.
  • BACM is often overlooked in emergency department settings for children with gait disturbances.

Observation:

  • A distinct group of children developed BACM after infection with human parainfluenza virus type 1.
  • No cases in this cluster were associated with influenza A or B infections.
  • This is the first reported cluster of BACM linked to human parainfluenza virus type 1.

Findings:

  • Human parainfluenza virus type 1 is an identified trigger for BACM.
  • Clinical presentation, examination, and investigation findings in these children are detailed.
  • The study includes a review of existing BACM research and clinical presentations.

Implications:

  • Highlights human parainfluenza virus type 1 as a potential cause of BACM.
  • Emphasizes the need for broader differential diagnoses in pediatric gait abnormalities.
  • Informs healthcare professionals about recognizing and managing BACM, even in non-influenza cases.

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