Clinical and laboratory characteristics of viral encephalitis in children in Menoufia governorate, Egypt

Objective This study was designed to highlight clinicoepidemiological profile investigation findings of acute viral encephalitis in children. Background Owing to the high morbidity and mortality associated with viral encephalitis, it is important to establish a diagnosis and initiate therapy as soon as possible. Patients and methods This study was conducted on 50 cases that met the diagnostic criteria of encephalitis. Most of these patients were admitted at either General Department or Pediatric ICUs of Menoufia University Hospital and Shebin El-Kom Fever Hospital. All were subjected to complete history and examination, cerebrospinal fluid examination, electroencephalogram, computed tomography brain, and MRI brain. Results Of the 50 patients included in the study, there were 30 (60%) male 20 (40%) female patients, with mean ± SD age of 5.56 ± 4.90 (0.42–15.0) years. A total of 35 (70%) patients were from the rural area, 25 (50%) patients had low socioeconomic status, and 20% had positive consanguinity. Delayed development was observed only in 14% of patients. Pus cells ranged from 5 to 500 cell in 74% of patients, with mean lymphocyte percentage of 53.33 ± 35.98. Protein was elevated more than or equal to 50 in 82% of patients, and 20% of the patients showed background slowing and focal sharp wave in temporal lobe by electroencephalogram. Brain edema was detected in 15% patients. MRI abnormalities were detected in 24 patients. Conclusion Clinical data, laboratory results, and neuroimaging findings support the diagnosis of encephalitis.