Neurodevelopmental outcomes of newborns and infants with parechovirus and enterovirus central nervous infection: a 5-year longitudinal study

Enterovirus and parechovirus meningoencephalitis in infants: A ten-year prospective observational study in a neonatal intensive care unit

BACKGROUND

Non-polio enteroviruses (EV) and human parechoviruses (HPeV) are known etiological agents of meningoencephalitis in neonates. However, reports of neuroradiological findings and neurodevelopmental outcomes in this population are scarce.

OBJECTIVES

to describe clinical characteristics, neuroradiological findings and, in a subset of patients, neurodevelopmental outcomes in a cohort of infants with EV or HPeV meningoencephalitis within 60 days of life.

STUDY DESIGN

clinical/laboratory data, neuroradiological findings (cranial ultrasound, cUS, brain magnetic resonance imaging, MRI), and neurodevelopmental outcomes assessed by Ages and Stages Questionnaires - third edition were prospectively collected.

RESULTS

overall, 32 infants with EV (21, 67.8 %) or HPeV (11, 28.2 %) meningoencephalitis were enrolled. Infants with HPeV (73 %: type 3 HPeV) presented more frequently with seizures (18.2 % vs. 0, p value=0.03), lymphopenia (1120 vs. 2170 cells/mm3, p = 0.02), focal anomalies at electroencephalography (EEG) (63.6 vs. 23.8 %, p = 0.03), and pathological findings at MRI (72.7 % vs. 15.8 %, p value=0.004) compared to those affected by EV. cUS was not significantly altered in any of the enrolled infants. All infants with EV meningoencephalitis evaluated at 12-24 months and at 30-48 months were normal. Two out of the 7 infants with HPeV meningoencephalitis showed some concerns in gross motor (1/7, 14.3 %) or in problem solving (1/7, 14.3 %) function at 30-48 months of age.

CONCLUSIONS

In our cohort, neonates infected by HPeV had more severe clinical manifestations, more alterations at brain MRI, and some signs of long-term neurodevelopmental delay. Our data highlight the heterogeneity of manifestations in infants with EV or HPeV meningoencephalitis, and the need for long-term follow-up of those infected by HPeV in the neonatal period.

Diagnosis, management, and outcomes of parechovirus infections in infants: an overview

Parechovirus A (PeV-A) infections have been detected with increasing frequency in US infants under 6 months of age, leading to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) health advisory in July 2022. Clinicians are advised to consider PeV-A laboratory testing of blood and cerebrospinal fluid when infants present with unexplained fever, sepsis-like illness, or neurological issues. Clinical laboratories are encouraged to offer in-house molecular testing for PeV-A to avoid diagnostic delays, unnecessary use of antibiotics, and prolonged hospitalization of infants presenting with sepsis-like illness. While data are evolving on potential neurodevelopmental sequelae after PeV-A infant central nervous system infections, most infected infants return to baseline health for age. This review examines the PeV-A literature with a focus on PeV-A3, including aspects of epidemiology, clinical presentations/management, laboratory diagnostics, genotyping, and post-infectious sequelae related to PeV-A infections in infants.

The Association Between Children's Autism Spectrum Disorders and Central Nervous System Infections: Using a Nationwide Claims Database

Several studies have reported an association of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with central nervous system (CNS) infections and intrauterine infections; however, the results remain unclear. This study aimed to examine this issue using an extensive national database. Utilizing JMDC medical claims database, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of children with at least three years of follow-up from birth, ensuring the mother's information was available. The focus was on the relationship between ASD incidence and exposures like viral meningitis/encephalitis, bacterial meningitis, and intrauterine infections. Cox proportional hazards was used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) with covariates such as presence of maternal history of mental illness, preterm, low birth weight, respiratory and cardiac disorder, epilepsy, and cranial malformations. Sensitivity analysis was performed on sibling and multiple birth cohorts to adjust for genetic factors. Out of 276,195 mother-child pairs, bacterial meningitis was observed in 1326 (0.5%), viral meningitis/encephalitis in 6066 (2.2%), intrauterine infection in 3722 (1.3%), and ASD in 14,229 (5.2%) children. The adjusted HRs (95% confidence interval, p value) for ASD were 1.40 (1.25-1.57, p < 0.001), 1.14 (1.02-1.26, p = 0.013), and 1.06 (0.87-1.30, p = 0.539) for viral meningitis/encephalitis, intrauterine infection, and bacterial meningitis, respectively. After sensitivity analysis, the HRs for viral meningitis/encephalitis and ASD remained significantly high. Viral meningitis/encephalitis may be an independent risk factor for ASD. Awareness of this risk among healthcare professionals can lead to early intervention and potentially improved outcomes for affected children.

Clinical course and peculiarities of Parechovirus and Enterovirus central nervous system infections in newborns: a single-center experience

Parechovirus (HpEV) and Enterovirus (EV) infections in children mostly have a mild course but are particularly fearsome in newborns in whom they may cause aseptic meningitis, encephalitis, and myocarditis. Our study aimed to describe the clinical presentations and peculiarities of CNS infection by HpEV and EV in neonates. This is a single-center retrospective study at Istituto Gaslini, Genoa, Italy. Infants aged ≤ 30 days with a CSF RTq-PCR positive for EV or HpEV from January 1, 2022, to December 1, 2023, were enrolled. Each patient's record included demographic data, blood and CSF tests, brain MRI, therapies, length of stay, ICU admission, complications, and mortality. The two groups were compared to identify any differences and similarities. Twenty-five patients (15 EV and 10 HpEV) with a median age of 15 days were included. EV patients had a more frequent history of prematurity/neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (p = 0.021), more respiratory symptoms on admission (p = 0.012), and higher C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (p = 0.027), whereas ferritin values were significantly increased in HpEV patients (p = 0.001). Eight patients had a pathological brain MRI, equally distributed between the two groups. Three EV patients developed myocarditis and one HpEV necrotizing enterocolitis with HLH-like. No deaths occurred.  Conclusion: EV and HpEV CNS infections are not easily distinguishable by clinical features. In both cases, brain MRI abnormalities are not uncommon, and a severe course of the disease is possible. Hyper-ferritinemia may represent an additional diagnostic clue for HpEV infection, and its monitoring is recommended to intercept HLH early and initiate immunomodulatory treatment. Larger studies are needed to confirm our findings. What is Known: • Parechovirus and Enteroviruses are the most common viral pathogens responsible for sepsis and meningoencephalitis in neonates and young infants. • The clinical course and distinguishing features of Parechovirus and Enterovirus central nervous system infections are not well described. What is New: • Severe disease course, brain MRI abnormalities, and complications are not uncommon in newborns with Parechovirus and Enteroviruses central nervous system infections. • Hyper-ferritinemia may represent an additional diagnostic clue for Parechovirus infection and its monitoring is recommended.

Human parechovirus meningitis in children: state of the art

Human Parechovirus is a common cause of infection occurring especially during the first years of life. It may present with a broad spectrum of manifestations, ranging from a pauci-symptomatic infection to a sepsis-like or central nervous system disease. Aim of this study is to explore the knowledge on Parechovirus meningitis. According to the purpose of the study, a systematic review of the literature focusing on reports on central nervous system. Parechovirus infection of children was performed following PRISMA criteria. Out of the search, 304 papers were identified and 81 records were included in the revision dealing with epidemiology, clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, imaging, therapy and outcome. Parechovirus meningitis incidence may vary all over the world and outbreaks may occur. Fever is the most common symptom, followed by other non-specific signs and symptoms including irritability, poor feeding, skin rash or seizures. Although several reports describe favourable short-term neurodevelopmental outcomes at discharge after Parechovirus central nervous system infection, a specific follow up and the awareness on the risk of sequelae should be underlined in relation to the reported negative outcome. Evidence seems to suggest a correlation between magnetic imaging resonance alteration and a poor outcome.

Update on nonpolio enterovirus and parechovirus infections in neonates and young infants

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To review the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and treatment strategies of nonpolio enterovirus and parechovirus (PeV) infections, and identify research gaps.

RECENT FINDINGS

There is currently no approved antiviral agent for enterovirus or PeV infections, although pocapavir may be provided on a compassionate basis. Elucidation of the structure and functional features of enterovirus and PeV may lead to novel therapeutic strategies, including vaccine development.

SUMMARY

Nonpolio human enterovirus and PeV are common childhood infections that are most severe among neonates and young infants. Although most infections are asymptomatic, severe disease resulting in substantial morbidity and mortality occurs worldwide and has been associated with local outbreaks. Long-term sequelae are not well understood but have been reported following neonatal infection of the central nervous system. The lack of antiviral treatment and effective vaccines highlight important knowledge gaps. Active surveillance ultimately may inform preventive strategies.

Clinical and Neurodevelopmental Characteristics of Enterovirus and Parechovirus Meningitis in Neonates

Background

Non-polio-enteroviruses (EV) and human parechoviruses (HPeV) are small RNA viruses, which in newborns cause infections with a wide range of severity. Today molecular biology tools allow us to diagnose viral meningitis in neonates, sparing patients from useless antibiotics. Data on neurodevelopmental outcome of children who contract enterovirus meningitis in early childhood are still limited in the literature.

Aims

To evaluate the neurodevelopmental outcome of newborns with documented enterovirus and parechovirus meningitis contracted within the first months of life.

Methods

Enterovirus and parechovirus were detected on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma by RT-PCR. The virological typing was done according to WHO recommendations. During the hospitalization each neonate underwent many diagnostic and instrumental examinations, to evaluate any neurological lesions attributable to the infection. After the discharge children entered in an outpatient interdisciplinary assessment process, comprehensive of the administration of Bayley III scales up to 12 months old.

Results

We observed longitudinally 30 children, born at term (mean GA 39.7 ± 0.8 weeks, mean birthweight was 3,457 ± 405 grams), who contracted enterovirus and parechovirus meningitis within the first month of life (mean age at diagnosis was 15.8 ± 7.33 days). We were able to perform the genetic typing only on 15/30 (50.0%) cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from 15 neonates. We found MRI anomalies in 9/26 observed neonates (34.6%): one of them presented brainstem abnormality that are specific of enteroviral central nervous system (CNS) involvement. During the follow up children displayed an overall normal neurodevelopment and no deficit in visual and hearing areas. The mean cognitive (105.19 ± 8.71), speech (100.23 ± 8.22) and motor (97.00 ± 8.98) composite scores, assessed by Bayley III, were normal in 29/30 (96.7%). Despite this, children with pathological brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scored significantly lower (p = 0.01) than children with normal brain MRI on cognitive subscale at 12 months of life.

Conclusions

Early enterovirus infections can be associated to brain MRI abnormalities, more frequently the earlier the infection. Although within a normal range, our children with pathological brain MRI scored significantly lower than those with normal brain MRI on cognitive subscale at 12 months of life.