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Neuropediatrics 2022; 53(04): 291-294
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1742722
Short Communication

Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of Neonatal Rotavirus-Associated Leukoencephalopathy

Jae Young Cho
1   Department of Pediatrics, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju, South Korea
,
Jung Sook Yeom 
1   Department of Pediatrics, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju, South Korea
2   Department of Pediatrics, Gyeongsang National Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju, Korea
,
Young-Soo Kim
3   Department of Neurology, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju, South Korea
,
Dae-Seob Choi
2   Department of Pediatrics, Gyeongsang National Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju, Korea
4   Department of Radiology, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju, South Korea
,
Ji Sook Park
1   Department of Pediatrics, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju, South Korea
2   Department of Pediatrics, Gyeongsang National Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju, Korea
,
Eun Sil Park
1   Department of Pediatrics, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju, South Korea
2   Department of Pediatrics, Gyeongsang National Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju, Korea
,
Ji-Hyun Seo
1   Department of Pediatrics, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju, South Korea
2   Department of Pediatrics, Gyeongsang National Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju, Korea
,
Jae-Young Lim
1   Department of Pediatrics, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju, South Korea
2   Department of Pediatrics, Gyeongsang National Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju, Korea
,
Hyang-Ok Woo
1   Department of Pediatrics, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju, South Korea
2   Department of Pediatrics, Gyeongsang National Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju, Korea
,
Chan-Hoo Park
2   Department of Pediatrics, Gyeongsang National Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju, Korea
5   Department of Pediatrics, Gyeongsang National University Changwon Hospital, Changwon, South Korea
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Abstract

Rotavirus infection has been reported to be associated with neonatal seizures with a diffuse and symmetrical diffusion restriction of periventricular white matter, namely, neonatal rotavirus-associated leukoencephalopathy. The extensive white matter injury seen in this cohort raises concerns about the long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes. In the present study, we prospectively assessed the neurodevelopmental outcomes of 13 patients with neonatal rotavirus-associated leukoencephalopathy at a median age of 26 months (range, 23–68 months). Neurodevelopmental outcomes were evaluated using a neurological examination, developmental evaluations, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain. Overall, 6 of the 13 patients (46%) had abnormal neurodevelopmental outcomes: 1 patient had mental retardation, visual–motor integration (VMI) dysfunction, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy; 1 patient had cerebral palsy and VMI dysfunction; remaining 4 patients had VMI dysfunction. Follow-up MRI in 12 of 13 patients showed an increased signal intensity on periventricular white matter in all patients. These findings suggested that neonatal rotavirus-associated leukoencephalopathy could not be assumed to be benign in long-term neurodevelopment, particularly in VMI function. Early intervention and long-term follow-up are necessary for these patients. Our findings raise caution for rotavirus infection in this vulnerable population for infants.

Keywords

rotavirus - leukoencephalopathy - infant - seizures - prognosis

Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 25 August 2021

Accepted: 21 December 2021

Article published online:
02 March 2022

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