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Consensus guidelines on evaluation and management of suspected acute viral encephalitis in children in India

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Abstract

Justification

Viral encephalitis is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in children. The etiological agents are varied, and physicians treating such children often feel limited by the lack of uniform guidelines on evaluation and management of these critically ill children in resource-constrained settings.

Process

An ‘Expert Group Meeting on Viral Encephalitis in Children’ was held on 19th January, 2012 in Gurgaon, Haryana (under the aegis of PEDICON 2012, the National Conference of Indian Academy of Pediatrics). The invited experts included pediatricians and microbiologists with expertise in the relevant field. Various issues related to the subject were discussed and it was decided to bring out recommendations on the topic. The final recommendations were produced after circulating the draft document, and incorporating/discussing all changes, by e-mail.

Objectives

To aid the pediatrician in the evaluation and management of children with suspected viral encephalitis and to assist the public health authorities in acute encephalitis surveillance. These guidelines do not cover viral encephalitis in the neonatal period and in immunocompromised children, Rabies encephalitis, and chronic viral encephalitis such as Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE).

Recommendations

Recommendation for evaluation and management of suspected viral encephalitis in children are presented. In any acute encephalitis outbreak, pediatricians should be aware of the common viral causes of encephalitis in their area, what information and samples they should collect, and the contact details of the District Surveillance Unit. Pending specific diagnosis and therapy (which may or may not be possible), prompt empirical therapy and meticulous supportive care are important to prevent ongoing brain damage, and improve outcome.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Lady Hardinge Medical College, Delhi, India

    Suvasini Sharma & Satinder Aneja

  2. Department of Pediatrics, Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi, 110 002, India

    Devendra Mishra

  3. Department of Pediatrics, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, UP, India

    Rashmi Kumar

  4. Department of Microbiology, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, UP, India

    Amita Jain

  5. Mangla Hospital & Research Center, Shakti Chowk, Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, India

    Vipin M. Vashishtha

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  1. Suvasini Sharma
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  2. Devendra Mishra
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The Expert Group on Encephalitis, Indian Academy of Pediatrics

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Correspondence to Devendra Mishra.

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Sharma, S., Mishra, D., Aneja, S. et al. Consensus guidelines on evaluation and management of suspected acute viral encephalitis in children in India. Indian Pediatr 49, 897–910 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-012-0216-0

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