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Rotavirus encephalitis mimicking afebrile benign convulsions in infants
1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Sugitani, Japan.
Insights
Rotavirus gastroenteritis in a 2-year-old boy was linked to seizures and encephalitis, confirmed by rotavirus detection in cerebrospinal fluid. The child recovered fully with no lasting effects, suggesting a potential mimic of benign infantile epilepsy.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Virology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Rotavirus gastroenteritis is a common childhood illness.
- Seizures can be a rare neurological complication of viral infections.
- Distinguishing between infectious and idiopathic epilepsy in children is crucial.
Observation:
- A 2-year-old boy presented with afebrile partial seizures secondary to rotavirus gastroenteritis.
- Cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed rotavirus genome and anti-rotavirus IgG.
- Neuroimaging suggested encephalitis, with specific rotavirus genotypes VP4 (P8) and VP7 (G4) identified.
Findings:
- Detection of rotavirus in cerebrospinal fluid confirms a direct link to the neurological event.
- The patient's seizures were effectively managed with standard antiepileptic drugs.
- Complete recovery and normal development were observed, with no physical or neurological sequelae.
Implications:
- This case highlights rotavirus as a potential cause of encephalitis and seizures in children.
- The clinical presentation mimicked benign infantile partial epilepsy, emphasizing the need for thorough etiological investigation.
- Understanding the neurological manifestations of rotavirus is important for accurate diagnosis and management in pediatric neurology.
Abstract:
A 2-year-old-boy had rotavirus gastroenteritis and demonstrated afebrile partial seizures with secondary generalization. The presence of rotavirus genome and anti-rotavirus IgG was detected in the cerebrospinal fluid. The genotype of VP4 was P8 and that of VP7 was G4. The imaging analysis by computed tomography and single photon emission computed tomography implied encephalitis. The seizures were well controlled by standard antiepileptic therapy, and the child experienced normal development with neither physical nor neurologic sequelae, which appeared to mimic benign infantile partial epilepsy.