Year: 1999
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To devise a set of clinical signs and laboratory parameters that would help clinicians assess prognosis in patients and plan appropriate management. METHODS: Medical records of 147 paediatric cases (with a discharge diagnosis of acute viral encephalitis) admitted over a ten year period from 1987 to 1997 were reviewed and relevant information collected on a data extraction form. RESULTS: Of 147 patients, 24 (16.3%) died and 48 (32.7%) were left with severe neurological deficits. A GCS (Glasgow Coma Scale) score between 6-10 had an association with poor outcome (OR = 2.62, Chi-square = 5.57, p-value = 0.018) and that a GCS score of > or = 5 was even more strongly suggestive of poor outcome (OR = 5.49, Chi-square = 12.08, p-value = 0.0005). A history of having seizures, for more than 3 days, also showed a strong association with poor outcome (OR = 3.66, Chi-square = 5.46, p-value = 0.019). CONCLUSION: Patients with an increased risk of death and severe disability can be identified using a few guidelines. Of these, a history of seizures of > 3 days and/or impaired consciousness (GCS < or = 10), at the time of presentation to the hospital, constitute high risk. These cases must be identified promptly and aggressive therapy initiated in order to improve long term outcome.
Source: PubMed
Authors: E Bhutto, M Naim, M Ehtesham, M Rehman, M A Siddique, I Jehan
Institution: Aga Khan University
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W17105561