Clinical features in 51 infants and children treated for suspected viral encephalitis
| Clinical feature | Number (%) | Number with data recorded in case notes |
|---|---|---|
| Age (mean (range)) | 2 years (2 days to 14 years) | 51 |
| Male | 28 (55) | 51 |
| Pre-existing neurological disorder | 9* (18) | 51 |
| Days ill (median (range)) | 2 (1–21) | 51 |
| Confusion, irritability or behavioural change | 35 (76) | 46 |
| Fever (history or documented) | 34 (67) | 51 |
| Seizures, history or witnessed | 31 (61) | 51 |
| Vomiting | 23 (57) | 40 |
| Headache | 10 (47) | 21 |
| Photophobia | 0 | 32 |
| Glasgow Coma Score, median (range) | 13 (3–15) | 31 |
| Glasgow Coma Score <14 | 21 (41) | 31 |
| Rash | 9 (26) | 34 |
| Prolonged capillary refill time (>2 s) | 7 (18) | 39 |
| Bulging fontanelle | 2 (9) | 21 |
| Neck stiffness | 2 (7) | 26 |
| New onset of focal neurological signs | 14 (37) | 38 |
↵* Epilepsy, 4 (2 with developmental delay); cerebral palsy, 2; hydrocephalus, 2; neurodegenerative disorder, 1.