[Brain stem encephalitis in childhood]

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 29, 2026

Intracerebroventricular and Intravascular Injection of Viral Particles and Fluorescent Microbeads into the Neonatal Brain
05:51

Intracerebroventricular and Intravascular Injection of Viral Particles and Fluorescent Microbeads into the Neonatal Brain

Published on: July 24, 2016

I Bodegas1, A Martínez-Bermejo, M J García de Miguel

  • 1Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Infantil La Paz, Madrid, España.

Revista De Neurologia
|July 23, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Post-infectious encephalitis of the brain stem (ETC) is rare in infants. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial due to high mortality and potential for severe neurological deficits.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neuroimaging

Background:

  • Post-infectious encephalitis of the brain stem (ETC) is an uncommon condition, particularly in infants.
  • Prompt recognition and management are vital due to the potential for severe outcomes.

Observation:

  • Two infant cases (4 and 9 months) presented with subacute onset after a catarrhal illness.
  • Clinical features included ataxia, altered consciousness, pyramidal tract signs, and cranial nerve palsies.
  • MRI revealed pontine lesions, though not always correlating with clinical severity.

Findings:

  • One infant recovered without sequelae.
  • The second infant experienced persistent cranial nerve deficits and gait abnormalities.
  • Clinical courses varied significantly between the two patients.

Implications:

  • Highlights the rarity of ETC in infancy, necessitating a high index of suspicion.
  • Emphasizes the importance of early empirical treatment, especially if herpes simplex virus is suspected, due to high mortality and sequelae risks.
Abstract

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