Predictors of mortality in acute encephalitis syndrome in children

Encephalitis is an important cause of morbidity, mortality and neurological sequelae in children globally. Causes are diverse and include viral and non-viral etiology as well as autoimmune processes. In the west autoimmune encephalitis are now most common than any single infectious cause, but in India infectious causes are still most common. It is critical to evaluate the immediately to reduce mortality and sequalae in Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) patients. This study has been done to find out different predictors of mortality in outcome of AES at the end of hospital stay. To find out the predictors of mortality in children with acute encephalitis syndrome between age group of 1 month to 14 years. This was a cross sectional analytical study conducted over a period of two years. A total of 310 subjects were included in the study. Different clinical and laboratory parameters were taken to know the different significant predictors of mortality. A total of 310 cases were taken for the study from the age group of 1 month to 14 years. Out of these AES cases 22.5% cases died and 77.5% patients were discharged. Higher mortality was seen in 11-14 years of age group and females had higher mortality as compared to males. Only 5 variables that is refractory seizure, GCS<8, features of raised ICT, shock and requirement of ventilatory support were found to be significant (p<0.05) in predictors of mortality. Other variables like age, sex, socioeconomic status, fever altered sensorium, seizure, meningeal sign, laboratory investigations like serum sodium, total leucocyte count, serum creatinine, duration of hospitalisation were not found to be significant(p>0.05). AES is a disorder of multiple and varying etiology with significant mortality and morbidity. Early diagnosis, appropriate investigation, prompt management go a long way in reducing mortality and sequalae in AES. Refractory seizure, Glasgow Coma Score<8, features of raised Intracranial Tension, Shock and requirement of ventilatory support prognosticate the outcome of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome.