Encephalitis lethargica-like illness in a five-year-old

Dev Med Child Neurol. 1991 Feb;33(2):158-61. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8749.1991.tb05095.x.

Abstract

A five-year-old boy presented with an encephalitis lethargica-like illness, characterised by somnolence, mutism and Parkinsonian rigidity two weeks after an acute exanthem. Investigation revealed increased serum measles antibody titre. He made a complete recovery. Encephalitis lethargica associated with Parkinsonism in childhood is rare and usually carries a poor prognosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Akinetic Mutism / diagnosis
  • Akinetic Mutism / physiopathology
  • Arousal / physiology*
  • Brain / physiopathology
  • Child, Preschool
  • Encephalomyelitis / diagnosis*
  • Encephalomyelitis / physiopathology
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neurologic Examination / methods*
  • Parkinson Disease, Postencephalitic / diagnosis*
  • Parkinson Disease, Postencephalitic / physiopathology
  • Spinal Cord / physiopathology