[Selected viral neuroinfections in children]

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Infectious Diseases
• Neurology

Background:

• Viral meningitis is a major public health concern in pediatric populations.
• Clinical presentation varies with age, causative agent, and transmission route.
• Evolving epidemiology due to vaccinations impacts central nervous system infections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of viral meningitis in children.
• To discuss common causes, clinical signs, symptoms, and complications.
• To outline diagnostic and treatment principles for pediatric viral meningitis.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on viral meningitis in children.
• Emphasis on changing diagnostic approaches, including molecular methods like PCR.
• Analysis of epidemiological trends and etiological factors.

Main Results:

• Enteroviruses are the leading cause of sporadic and epidemic meningitis globally.
• Tick-borne encephalitis virus is a common cause in Europe, with severity inversely related to age.
• West Nile Virus and Herpes Simplex Virus encephalitis are significant concerns with varying prevalence and severity.

Conclusions:

• Viral meningitis in children requires age-specific management and diagnosis.
• Molecular diagnostic tools like PCR enhance etiological identification.
• Emerging and regional pathogens necessitate ongoing surveillance and adapted treatment strategies.