Influenza A encephalitis with movement disorder

Influenza A is an uncommon but well-recognized cause of viral encephalitis in childhood, occurring most commonly during community influenza outbreaks. The authors report four cases of influenza A encephalitis that occurred du ring an Australian epidemic in 1997-1998. Choreoathetosis during the acute phase of infection or basal ganglia involvement on neuroimaging was observe d in three of the four patients. These findings in pediatric encephalitis a re suggestive of influenza A infection and may guide investigation and earl y diagnosis. (C) 1999 by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.