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Neonatal herpes simplex meningoencephalitis: EEG investigations and clinical correlates.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Mikati, MA; Feraru, E; Krishnamoorthy, K; Lombroso, CT
Published in: Neurology
September 1990

We studied the sequential EEGs of 15 neonatal herpes simplex virus meningoencephalitis (NHSV-ME) patients and correlated them with corresponding clinical and laboratory findings. During days 1 to 4 of the illness, 8 had EEGs. All but 1 had abnormal tracings and 3 (38%) showed the multifocal periodic pattern (MPP). Three had an early abnormal EEG at a time when their cranial CT/ultrasound studies were normal. During days 5 to 11, 13 had EEGs: all were abnormal and 3 showed the MPP. After day 11, EEGs (available on 10) showed a very low voltage background in 9, and only 1 had normal EEG and development. During 1 year in which 1 patient with NHSV-ME was observed, we noted that 9/324 (2.8%) of neonates with other CNS conditions manifested the MPP. All, however, had CSF findings that distinguished them from herpes cases. We conclude that: (1) In patients with suspected NHSV-ME, EEG is a sensitive test that is superior to radiologic procedures in detecting early cerebral involvement. Most of the early EEGs show nonspecific background and paroxysmal abnormalities. (2) In the presence of inflammatory CSF, the MPP, an otherwise nonspecific finding, is highly suggestive of NHSV-ME. (3) Sequential EEGs may be important in the follow-up of neonates with NHSV-ME.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Neurology

DOI

ISSN

0028-3878

Publication Date

September 1990

Volume

40

Issue

9

Start / End Page

1433 / 1437

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Time Factors
  • Neurology & Neurosurgery
  • Meningoencephalitis
  • Male
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Humans
  • Herpes Simplex
  • Female
  • Electroencephalography
 

Citation

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Mikati, M. A., Feraru, E., Krishnamoorthy, K., & Lombroso, C. T. (1990). Neonatal herpes simplex meningoencephalitis: EEG investigations and clinical correlates. Neurology, 40(9), 1433–1437. https://doi.org/10.1212/wnl.40.9.1433
Mikati, M. A., E. Feraru, K. Krishnamoorthy, and C. T. Lombroso. “Neonatal herpes simplex meningoencephalitis: EEG investigations and clinical correlates.Neurology 40, no. 9 (September 1990): 1433–37. https://doi.org/10.1212/wnl.40.9.1433.
Mikati MA, Feraru E, Krishnamoorthy K, Lombroso CT. Neonatal herpes simplex meningoencephalitis: EEG investigations and clinical correlates. Neurology. 1990 Sep;40(9):1433–7.
Mikati, M. A., et al. “Neonatal herpes simplex meningoencephalitis: EEG investigations and clinical correlates.Neurology, vol. 40, no. 9, Sept. 1990, pp. 1433–37. Pubmed, doi:10.1212/wnl.40.9.1433.
Mikati MA, Feraru E, Krishnamoorthy K, Lombroso CT. Neonatal herpes simplex meningoencephalitis: EEG investigations and clinical correlates. Neurology. 1990 Sep;40(9):1433–1437.

Published In

Neurology

DOI

ISSN

0028-3878

Publication Date

September 1990

Volume

40

Issue

9

Start / End Page

1433 / 1437

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Time Factors
  • Neurology & Neurosurgery
  • Meningoencephalitis
  • Male
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Humans
  • Herpes Simplex
  • Female
  • Electroencephalography