THE LESIONS OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM CAUSED BY THE VARICELLA-ZOSTER VIRUS IN CHILDREN

Abstract

To describe the spectrum of neurological complications in children with varicella and against the background of herpes zoster. The study included children at the age of 0—16 years (n = 84), who recovered from exanthematous form of the disease not longer than 21 day before the appearance of neurological symptoms (n = 82) or presented with herpes zoster (n = 2). Results: Clinical syndromes included acute cerebellar ataxia (n = 37), meningoencephalitis (n = 34), meningitis (n = 7), polyradiculoneuropathy (n = 4), acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (n = 1), and ischemic stroke (n = 1). The period from varicella onset to the appearance of neurological symptoms was 6 [5;8] days. We have not lethal cases. Аcute cerebellar ataxia is most common postvaricella complication in children.

Keywords

• varicella-zoster virus (vzv)
• encephalitis
• neurological complications