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Fatal enterovirus 71 encephalomyelitis

L C Lum1, K T Wong, S K Lam

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, the Department of Pathology, the Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The Journal of Pediatrics
|December 8, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Enterovirus 71 (EV-71) caused fatal brainstem encephalomyelitis in children during a 1997 outbreak. This led to sudden cardiopulmonary collapse and death, with postmortem studies revealing extensive brainstem damage.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Virology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • An outbreak of hand-foot-mouth disease occurred in 1997.
  • Enterovirus 71 (EV-71) was identified as the causative agent.

Observation:

  • Four children presented with sudden cardiopulmonary collapse.
  • Neurologic symptoms were minimal despite severe outcomes.
  • All children died within hours of admission despite resuscitation.

Findings:

  • Postmortem examinations revealed EV-71 infection.
  • Extensive damage to the medulla and pons was observed.
  • A direct link between EV-71 and brainstem damage was established.

Implications:

  • EV-71 can cause severe brainstem encephalomyelitis.
  • This condition can lead to rapid pulmonary edema and death.
  • Understanding this link is crucial for managing EV-71 outbreaks.

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