California encephalitis in children.

Abstract

The California group of arboviruses are now recognized as a significant cause of encephalitis in children. Fifty children with California encephalitis were seen at Columbus Children's Hospital between 1966 and 1970. The illness characteristically began abruptly with fever, lethargy, vomiting, and progressive encephalitic findings during the first two to four days and with recovery in seven to ten days. Focal neurologic findings were present in 20% and electroencephalograms revealed asymmetrical delta-wave activity in 40% of the children during the acute phase of the illness.