Childhood neurocysticercosis in south India.

A total of 21 cases of childhood neurocysticercosis seen over five years (1985-89) at JIPMER hospital Pondicherry, are reported. Nine of these patients were males and twelve females. Their age ranged between 5 to 15 years. The presenting features were convulsive seizures (14), features of raised intracranial pressure (6) and meningoencephalitis syndrome (1). Diagnosis of neurocysticercosis was based on positive CSF serological tests (11), CT morphology (11), brain biopsy (1) and autopsy (1). Praziquantel therapy was given in 4 cases, 3 of them showed remarkable improvement in neurological status and one died of acute reaction.