Acute necrotizing encephalopathy of childhood

Abstract

Acute necrotizing encephalopathy of childhood (ANEC) is a rare form of encephalopathy characterized by rapid neurological deterioration along with seizures, decreased level of consciousness and coma. We herein report ANEC in a 12-month-old Iranian girl following febrile respiratory illness. She presented with convulsions characterized by upward gaze, spastic posture and sucking movements followed by rapid deterioration of consciousness and hemodynamic instability due to involvement of brainstem. Although several cases have been reported from East Asian countries, it has been rarely reported from Middle East region. This is the third case being reported from Iran. The diagnosis of ANEC should be kept in mind in all children with progressive neurological deterioration following a febrile convulsion. Although neuroradiological findings might be non-specific especially in early course of the disease, brain imaging should be performed when there is suspicion regarding the diagnosis.

Keywords

Acute necrotizing encephalopathy - childhood - febrile respiratory illness - brain imaging