1 week Ago By Steffy Thevar
Pune: Chikungunya virus traces in the cerebrospinal fluid of a six-month-old girl from the city has caught doctors by surprise for it was “not a very common occurrence in such small babies”. The parents of the infant had sought medical intervention after she exhibited neurological complications, along with fever, rash and irritability. Cerebrospinal fluid is a clear, colourless liquid that protects and nourishes the brain, as well as the spinal cord.
Medical experts said the virus was causing severe infections among children, including liver infection, involvement of the brain, fits, and even coma. City-based paediatric intensivist Dr Sagar Lad, who attended to the infant, said, “The baby was just six-month-old when she was referred to us on Aug 31 with complains like fever, rash, convulsions and irritability. As she reported neurological complications with rash, her blood was tested for chikungunya.
The report confirmed chikungunya infection in the infant. We tested her cerebrospinal fluid for the infection too because of persistent decreased consciousness and convulsion in the infant. The test carried out through PCR and showed traces of chikungunya infection.
” Dr Lad said he was surprised to see chikungunya traces in her cerebrospinal fluid which was not a very common occurrence in such small babies. “Since there is no antiviral available for chikungunya, she needed supportive treatment to control fits and reduce brain pressure. She was treated and discharged on Saturday after recovery.
” Dr Lad said he had come across multiple children infected with chikungunya, showing serious complications including liver infection and brain involvement. Intensivists from other hospitals also reported an increase in serious chikungunya infections among children. Dr Bhakti Sarangi, paediatric intensivist, said, “This year, the number of serious chikungunya cases has indeed gone up.
Patients are coming with neurological and cardiovascular complications, which are not very common in chikungunya patients.” We also published the following articles recently Cases of chikungunya affecting brain on rise Doctors in Pune have noted an alarming rise in chikungunya cases with severe neurological complications, especially among the elderly. Symptoms include encephalitis and Guillain-Barr syndrome.
Experts suspect a more aggressive strain of the virus and are conducting investigations. The outbreak has led to ICU admissions and some fatalities. Cases of chikungunya affecting brain on rise in city Doctors in Pune have noted an alarming rise in chikungunya cases affecting the brain, particularly among elderly patients.
Severe neurological symptoms such as Guillain-Barr syndrome and encephalitis have been observed. Experts suspect a more aggressive strain of the virus and are conducting investigations. The outbreak also includes myocarditis and other serious conditions.
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