Neurocognitive outcome in children and adolescents following infectious encephalitis

• Published in: Child neuropsychology Vol. 30; no. 6; pp. 882 - 899
• Main Authors: Bergman, Kristian, Fowler, Åsa, Ygberg, Sofia, Lovio, Riikka, Wickström, Ronny
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Routledge 17.08.2024
• Subjects: Adolescent; Attention - physiology; Child; Child, Preschool; Cognitive dysfunction; complication; Executive Function - physiology; Female; follow-up; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Infectious Encephalitis - complications; Infectious Encephalitis - psychology; Male; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; Memory, Short-Term - physiology; Neuropsychological Tests; prospective; Prospective Studies; Sweden; viral encephalitis; Sweden; follow-up; complication; viral encephalitis; Cognitive dysfunction; prospective
• ISSN: 0929-7049; 1744-4136; 1744-4136
• DOI: 10.1080/09297049.2023.2281688

Infectious encephalitis in children is fairly uncommon, but unfavorable outcomes are seen in many survivors. The aim of this study was to prospectively describe the long-term neurocognitive consequences following infectious encephalitis in childhood. Children admitted to a primary and tertiary hospital in Sweden between 2011 and 2016 were asked to participate. Fifty-nine children were assessed at a median time of 18 months (IQR 18-20) after hospitalization. Follow-up included measures of intellectual functioning, attention, working memory, and executive functions. Caregiver ratings of executive functioning and behavioral - emotional symptoms were assessed with standardized questionnaires. Neurocognitive outcome and measures of executive functions and behavioral-emotional symptoms varied greatly among participants. Basic auditory attention, working memory, and mental processing speed were affected and significantly lower compared to a standardized mean. Other domains identified as areas of vulnerability included executive functions, sustained attention, and the exert of self-control. Behavioral-emotional symptoms were less common; however, somatic complaints and behaviors related to conduct problems were seen in about one-third of individuals. This study highlights the importance of a comprehensive neurocognitive examination to identify children with unfavorable outcomes.