DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2021.v09i05.004

Pages: 643-648

Background: Acute encephalitides are the most common cause of acute neurological disease in children. This is a potentially devastating neurological syndrome with different etiologies including direct central nervous system infection with different agents most commonly viral and those mediated by immune system. The management has changed dramatically in recent years for several reasons including improved diagnostic and brain imaging techniques, better antiviral and more advanced neurointensive care and rehabilitation. Objective: To observe the presentation, diagnostic approach and management of the children admitted in neuroscience department of Dhaka Shishu Hospital. Method: A retrospective analysis of suspected encephalitis was done from records of discharged patients of the Neurosciences Department at Dhaka Shishu Hospital from January 2011-February 2013. SPSS is used for statistical analysis. Result: This study examined 31 patients (17 boys; 56.5 %, 14 Girls;45.16) with a mean onset age of 5.32 years (range 0.5-12 years).Out of 31 cases of AES, 8 patients (25.81%) were JE and 24 patients (77.42%) were non-JE. Among 31cases AES patients, 8(25.81%) were recovered completely (GOSV) , while 14 (45.16%) cases had neurological sequelae (GOS II –IV) with a wide range of severity varying from mild to severe at the time of discharge, 9(29.03%) patient died in the hospital (GOS I). Conclusion: The majority of cases of encephalitis have no known etiology with HSV being the most commonly identified pathogen in developed countries. Despite treatment with acyclovir, morbidity remains high. Diagnostic criteria, laboratory facility, treatment guideline and long term follow up is essential.