Factors Affecting Survival in Children with Acute Viral Encephalitis

Author(s):

Rohini Gulhane, Krishna Thakrani, Sachin Muley, Amit Gulhane, Swati Maldhuri

In India, the incidence of encephalitis is unknown as diagnosis of viral infection is difficult, specially in resource limited settings. Also wide variety of CNS disorders, both infectious and non-infectious can mimic the illness. In the view of large burden of Viral Encephalitis in paediatric age group and limited available data, this study has been planned. This hospital based Prospective, Observational, Longitudinal study was performed between October 2019 and May 2021 in pediatric department.

Methodology : 176 patients between the age group of 1 month to 12 years, diagnosed as having Acute Viral Encephalitis were enrolled into the study. They were evaluated for factors affecting survival like GCS at the time of admission, presence of shock, presence of severe anemia and presence of MODS. Results : GCS < 8 at the time of admission, presence of shock, presence of severe anemia and presence of MODS were found to be statistically significant by applying Chi-square test with P value of < 0.05 being considered as significant.

Conclusion : Clinical variables: GCS <8, presence of shock, presence of severe anemia and presence of MODS were found to be significant for predicting mortality in subjects of AVE.