ABSTRACT 299

Abstract

Background and aims: Encephalitis is a complication of rubella (1/5 000 case). It affects unvaccinated children aged 5 to 14 years. Aims: The Objective of the present work is to report clinical biological and radiologic features of rubella encephalitis in childhood and assess its prognostic impact. Methods: from January to June 2013, 11 children have been hospitalized for rubella encephalitis in the PICU of the university hospital center in Oran, Algeria. Results: 11 unvaccinated children have been hospitalized for rubella encephalitis: 06 boys and 05 girls. The average age was 12.8 years. The average time between the generalized maculopapular eruption and neurological manifestations was 4 days. The seizures were the inaugural symptom in all cases. Study of Cerebrospinal fluid reveals a clear liquid in all cases with 8 elements in average (0–34 elements) and a lymphocytic predominance in 100% of cases, protein average was 0, 87 g/l, normal cerebrospinal glucose. Rubella blood serology was positive with the presence of specific IgM in all cases. The bacteriological examination was negative. Slowdowns in the background rythm to EEG have been objective in 5 cases with paroxysmal waves in 2 cases. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain was performed for all patients and was abnormal for one case: cerebral venous thrombosis. Intubation and artificial ventilation was required in one case for refractory status epilepticus to antiepileptic treatment. The evolution was favorable with total recovery in 100% of cases. Conclusions: These observations of rubella encephalitis illustrate the potential seriousness of this disease. The vaccination program has to be revised in Algeria.