RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Encephalitis in Previously Healthy Children JF Pediatrics in Review JO Pediatr. Rev. FD American Academy of Pediatrics SP 68 OP 77 DO 10.1542/pir.2018-0175 VO 42 IS 2 A1 Fraley, Claire E. A1 Pettersson, David R. A1 Nolt, Dawn YR 2021 UL http://pedsinreview.aappublications.org/content/42/2/68.abstract AB Encephalitis is defined as altered mental status for more than 24 hours accompanied by 2 or more findings concerning for inflammation of the brain parenchyma: fever, seizures or other focal neurologic disorders, cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis, and abnormal neuroimaging and electroencephalographic findings. Herpes simplex virus causes the most severe form of virus-induced encephalitis; the early administration of acyclovir can improve the prognosis of this disease. The rising interest in autoimmune causes of encephalitis, most notably anti–N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor, should prompt the clinician to consider immunomodulatory treatments, which may improve outcomes. A broad testing panel may be necessary to detect the etiologic agent; a few published pediatric cases suggest that infectious and autoimmune causes may occur concurrently in the same patient with encephalitis. More than 40% of children diagnosed as having encephalitis will not return to their previous level of neurologic function after resolution of their disease, although outcomes are highly variable depending on the etiologic agent.