Clinical analysis of herpes simplex encephalitis in 22 children

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics of herpes simplex encephalitis(HSE) of children and to investigate the detective method and treatment.Methods: The clinical data of 22 cases of HSE,which were confirmed by detection of serum herpes simplex viruses(HSV) IgM antibody using enzyme immunodot technique were analyzed.All the patients were treated with ganciclovir(GCV).Results: HSE developed predominantly in children over 5 years of age.The most common clinical presentations of HSE were fever,vomiting,convulsion,paralysis,conscious disturbance and presentation of pyramidal sign.The lesions of frontal and temporal lobes of brain were common in the neuroimaging findings of the patients.Seven cases were cured,14 cases improved and 1 case did not respond.Conclusions: Clinical manifestations of HSE of children are not typical.The presence of serum specific HSV IgM antibody is a laboratory diagnostic evidence.HSE should be highly suspected if lesions of frontal and temporal lobes are present in the neuroimaging findings.GCV is the choice of therapy for HSE.