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Updated: Aug 11, 2026

Intracerebroventricular and Intravascular Injection of Viral Particles and Fluorescent Microbeads into the Neonatal Brain
Published on: July 24, 2016
[5th day convulsions of the newborn infant in rotavirus infections]
B Herrmann1, B Lawrenz-Wolf, C Seewald
1Kinderklinik Städtische Kliniken Kassel.
Aim Of The Study:
The pathogenesis of fifth day fits in newborns has not yet been explained. From 1989-1991 we observed an epidemic occurrence of 21 cases in 1917 hospitalized newborn children. After finding rotavirus in the faeces of several cases we suspected a coincidence.
Methods:
We tested the faeces of 19 fifth day fitters as well as 30 healthy newborns (4.-6. day of life) for rotavirus infection. The results of all clinically indicated rotavirus examinations in neonates of 4 to 6 days of age from 1989-1991 were analysed. In 6 rotavirus positive fifth day fitters we performed an immunologic and electron microscopic examination of cerebrospinal fluid.
Results:
18 of 19 examined children with fifth day fits (95%) had rotavirus in the faeces. Within the healthy control group we found 12 of 30 (40%, Chi-square 12.46, p < 0.001) and in the group of sick neonates without convulsions 98 of 202 (48.5%, Chi-square 12.44, p < 0.001). This shows a statistically significant coincidence of rotavirus positive faeces with fifth day fits. Rotavirus was not present in cerebrospinal fluid.
Conclusions:
We suggest a causal relation between fifth day fits and rotavirus infections. Pathogenetic details remain unclear.
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