A Case of Acute Viral Encephalitis: Important Aspects and Related Literature Review of Sri Lankan Studies

Abstract

Encephalitis in otherwise healthy and normal children causes many untimely deaths, giving rise to unexpected complications for physicians, forensic pathologists, and parents alike. Instead of resorting to extensive diagnostic options, aetiology can be identified in only around half of such cases. The case under discussion is a diagnosed case of viral encephalitis and the author attempts to discuss the multiple aspects surrounding the case. The victim was a previously healthy 9-year-old girl who presented with a three-day history of fever, vomiting, and altered consciousness with an episode of convulsion. No causative organism was identified while she was being treated. The histology revealed typical features of viral encephalitis along with other complications. The parental negligence could have been a contributory factor for her demise. Despite high fever with altered consciousness and convulsion, it had taken two days to diagnose her for having encephalitis upon admission. The forensic pathologist was inquired about the cause of her illness many times by the grieving parents. The parental grief was extensive in this case and the establishment of centres to deal with such encounters is suggested.