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Human Parechovirus (HPeV) infections: clinical presentations, patterns, and evolution of neonatal brain injury

Journal of Perinatology volume 44, pages 581–583 (2024)Cite this article

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Human Parechovirus (HPeV) is a common cause of viral encephalitis in newborns that commonly causes mild symptoms, while seldom, some of the affected newborns present with seizures, apnea, and death [1]. Radiating pattern of white matter abnormalities in the brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been previously described [2]. In this report, we aim to present the clinical course of nine severely affected neonates with HPeV. We describe their brain MRIs, with emphasis to their temporal evolution.

This is a case series of nine neonates diagnosed with HPeV by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the CSF or in serum from March 2022 to May 2022 admitted at a level four unit in Dallas, Texas, USA.

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Fig. 1: Classic initial and Evolution of MRI findings in patients with HPeV.

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Data used in this manuscript is available to readers promptly upon request.

References

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Acknowledgements

We thank the NeuroNICU team at UT Southwestern for the amazing work with diagnosis and treatment of infants with HPeV infection. We thank Pollieanna Sepulveda in particular for assistance with database and meeting coordination between teams.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA

    Marina S. Oren, Michael Price, Lina F. Chalak & Dimitrios Angelis

  2. Neuroradiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA

    Rebekah L. Clarke

  3. Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA

    Jennifer M. Thomas, Michelle Machie & Alison M. Dolce

Authors
  1. Marina S. Oren
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  2. Rebekah L. Clarke
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  3. Michael Price
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  4. Jennifer M. Thomas
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  5. Michelle Machie
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  6. Alison M. Dolce
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  7. Lina F. Chalak
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  8. Dimitrios Angelis
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Contributions

MSO conceptualized and designed the study, conducted the formal data analyses, drafted the initial manuscript, and critically reviewed and revised the manuscript. DA conceptualized and designed the study, and reviewed and revised the manuscript. RC performed imaging analyses, and reviewed and revised the manuscript. LC, MP, JT, MM, and AD were responsible for the concept, analysis, and interpretation of data, and revising the manuscript. All authors approved the final manuscript as submitted.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marina S. Oren.

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Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

This study was approved by the University of Texas Southwestern Institutional Review Board, and informed parental consent was waived per IRB guidelines.

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Oren, M.S., Clarke, R.L., Price, M. et al. Human Parechovirus (HPeV) infections: clinical presentations, patterns, and evolution of neonatal brain injury. J Perinatol 44, 581–583 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-023-01851-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-023-01851-w

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