Herpetic encephalitis of the newborn: clinical and paraclinical aspects

Abstract

Introduction. Encephalitis caused by VHS1 is a disease met commonly among newborns, it’s acute forms affecting not only the current state of an infant, but also the further development: 1 out of 64 000 newborns/year. The initial stages of diagnosis are difficult, and the first symptoms of the disease appear in the first 4 weeks. Purpose: To discuss and find the main particularities of this disease in order to enhance and facilitate it’s diagnosis. Material and methods. 18 newborns with HE symptoms. 10 of them were confirmed. Investigation methods: general, neurological examination; histological, biochemical investigation of cerebrospinal fluid, specific antibodies study ( ELISA), electroencephalography; imagistic examination. Results. Besides the above shown data, EEG showed abnormal deviations in 100% of patients. The found modifications were: - Slow diffuse activity; - Epileptic discharges with lateralization in the temporal lobe; - Slow wave complexes each 2-3 seconds. (fig 6.) Conclusions. Although in the first stages HE symptoms are similar to other neuropathies, the most correct and sure results are obtained after a week of symptoms. Using these particularities, it’s easier to make a factual differential diagnosis with other cerebral pathologies, and initiating an appropriate antiviral treatment.