Rehabilitation Management of a Child with Severe Pain after Bacterial Meningoencephalitis

Introduction: Pain is a common finding in children with meningoencephalitis and can cause negative consequences. We reported a child with severe pain after Acinetobacter meningoencephalitis who underwent rehabilitation management in the outpatient setting. Case description: A 1-year-4-month-old child was brought to the rehabilitation outpatient clinic with stiffness and severe pain after Acinetobacter meningoencephalitis. She had post-repair amputated tongue, hypertonus muscles, spasticity, and asymmetrical posture. After the rehabilitation programs, the pain was decreased to a moderate intensity. Case discussion: The pain can cause a vicious cycle of pain-induced spasms or spasticity that further increases pain. Multiple organ system impairments can cause the pain. A multidisciplinary team is needed to evaluate and manage the multiple sources of pain. Multimodal rehabilitation interventions consisting of 24-hour postural management, spasticity medication, ultrasound therapy, massage, stretching, and orthosis prescription may help to manage the pain. Conclusion: Pain after meningoencephalitis can be caused by multiple sources and can be managed by multidisciplinary and multimodality approaches.