Key result
In utero parechovirus transmission linked to severe encephalopathy and neurodevelopmental impairment in a preterm infant.
Why the study?
Intrauterine human parechovirus infection is rare, presents early, and has a more severe impact on brain health and development compared to postnatally acquired cases.
Case Report (n=1)
Intrauterine human parechovirus infection can present early with severe encephalopathy and lead to extensive white matter injury and neurodevelopmental impairment.
Alerts clinicians to possible in utero parechovirus in preterm encephalopathy; leaves open frequency, mechanisms, and screening needs.
Neonatal meningoencephalitis caused by human parechovirus infection is being increasingly recognized in recent literature. While most cases are postnatally acquired, intrauterine infection is rare, presents early and has a more severe impact on brain health and development. We discuss here an infant born preterm at 34 weeks gestational age, with neonatal course remarkable for severe encephalopathy presenting on day 2 of life due to human parechovirus meningoencephalitis transmitted in utero. Early magnetic resonance brain imaging detected extensive white matter injury and subsequently evolved into multicystic leukoencephalopathy. Posthospital discharge, infant was noted to have early neurodevelopmental impairment at 4 months corrected age.
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Afzal et al. (2024) conducted a case report in Human parechovirus meningoencephalitis (n=1). Human parechovirus infection transmitted in utero was evaluated on Neurodevelopmental impairment and brain injury. In utero transmission of human parechovirus meningoencephalitis in a preterm infant resulted in severe encephalopathy, extensive white matter injury, and early neurodevelopmental impairment.
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