Encephalitis in children can be categorized as infectious or non-infectious encephalitis, and can be determined clinically by the child’s history, clinical manifestations, cerebrospinal fluid examination, and pathogenetic tests.
The clinical manifestations of childhood encephalitis are varied due to the location and extent of the lesions. In the early stage of the disease, fever, headache, nausea and vomiting, and depression may occur. Later on, headache and vomiting may appear, often accompanied by generalized or localized convulsions, sometimes with impaired consciousness and mental symptoms, which may be life-threatening in severe cases.
It is important to note that the clinical manifestations of infantile encephalitis lack specificity and may be overlooked because of lethargy, poor feeding and irritability.
In clinical diagnosis, lumbar puncture can be performed after excluding contraindications to obtain cerebrospinal fluid for further examination to clarify the diagnosis. In addition, viral serologic testing, cranial magnetic resonance, and electroencephalography in children need to be refined.
When encephalitis is suspected in children, it is necessary to consult a doctor for a clear diagnosis and follow the doctor’s instructions for targeted treatment, so as not to miss the opportunity for treatment.