Abstract
This multicenter prospective cohort study describes the impact of human parechovirus meningitis on gross-motor neurodevelopment of young children. Gross-motor function was measured using Alberta Infant Motor Scale. Of a total of 38 eligible children < 10 months of age at onset, nine cases had clinical evidence of meningitis and polymerase chain reaction positive for human parechovirus in cerebrospinal fluid; 11 had no meningitis and polymerase chain reaction positive for human parechovirus in nasopharyngeal aspirate, blood, urine, or feces; and in 18, no pathogen was identified (reference group).
The children with human parechovirus meningitis showed more frequent albeit not statistically significant suspect gross-motor function delay (mean Z-score (standard deviation) − 1.69 (1.05)) than children with human parechovirus infection-elsewhere (− 1.38 (1.51)). The reference group did not fall in the range of suspect gross-motor function delay (− 0.96 (1.07)). Adjustment for age at onset and maternal education did not alter the results.
Conclusion: Six months after infection, children with human parechovirus meningitis showed more frequent albeit not statistically significant suspect gross-motor function delay compared to the population norm and other two groups. Longitudinal studies in larger samples and longer follow-up periods are needed to confirm the impact and persistence of human parechovirus meningitis on neurodevelopment in young children.
What is Known:
• Human parechovirus is progressively becoming a major viral cause of meningitis in children.
• There is keen interest in the development of affected infants with human parechovirus meningitis.
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What is New:
• This study describes prospectively gross-motor functional delay in children with both clinical evidence of meningitis and polymerase chain reaction positive for human parechovirus in cerebrospinal fluid.
• It shows the importance of screening young children for developmental delay in order to refer those with delay for early intervention to maximize their developmental potential.
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