Neonatal echovirus encephalitis with white matter necrosis.

The authors report a case of neonatal echovirus encephalitis associated with white matter necrosis. The pattern of illness in the neonatal period was diphasic, marked by hyperthermia and the occurrence of seizures. Echovirus was recovered from the cerebrospinal fluid. Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed at one month of age showed right periventricular white matter necrosis. The infant exhibited mild left hemiparesis. Cerebral MRI at 6 months of age showed a delay in myelination in the right hemisphere. Echovirus encephalitis in the neonate can cause brain damage.