NEUROCYSTICERCOSIS IN CHILDREN - CLINICAL-EXPERIENCE IN 122 PATIENTS

Cysticercosis is the most frequent parasitic disease of the central ne rvous system in the world and is endemic in such developing countries as Mexico. There is insufficient information about neurocysticercosis in children. The purpose of this study was to collect information on t he main social factors associated with neurocysticercosis, the clinica l picture, diagnosis and treatment, and the final outcome in 122 Mexic an children. The ages of the patients ranged from 14 months to 17 year s, with a mean of 8 years; 51 male (41.8%) and 71 female (51.8%) patie nts were seen; half of these patients (61) lived in well-urbanized are as; the parents of 77 families (57.3%) had only an elementary school g rade average, and 46 (37.7%) lived in close proximity to animals. The most common features were seizures, intracranial hypertension and lear ning disabilities. The diagnosis of neurocysticercosis was supported b y computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging studies and cerebr ospinal fluid analysis. The treatment was varied, with anticonvulsives , steroids, and albendazole, and only 8 patients underwent ventriculo- peritoneal shunts for hydrocephalus. The follow-up ranged from 6 month s to 5 years; 90 patients became asymptomatic; 6 developed refractory epilepsy; 14, learning disabilities; and 10, a chronic type of the dis ease with repeated episodes of intracranial hypertension; 2 died becau se of chronic arachnoiditis.