Affiliations: Department of Pediatrics, Namazi Medical Center,
Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran | Department of Radiology, Namazi Medical Center, Shiraz
University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Note: [] Correspondence: Dr. Amir Rezaei, PICU, Namazi Medical Center,
Shiraz 71937-11351, Iran. Tel.: +98 711 612 54 29-30; Fax: +98 711 647 43 26;
E-mail: rezaei@dr.com
Abstract: Acute necrotizing encephalopathy of childhood (ANEC) is a rare form
of encephalopathy characterized by rapid neurological deterioration along with
seizures, decreased level of consciousness and coma. We herein report ANEC in a
12-month-old Iranian girl following febrile respiratory illness. She presented
with convulsions characterized by upward gaze, spastic posture and sucking
movements followed by rapid deterioration of consciousness and hemodynamic
instability due to involvement of brainstem. Although several cases have been
reported from East Asian countries, it has been rarely reported from Middle
East region. This is the third case being reported from Iran. The diagnosis of
ANEC should be kept in mind in all children with progressive neurological
deterioration following a febrile convulsion. Although neuroradiological
findings might be non-specific especially in early course of the disease, brain
imaging should be performed when there is suspicion regarding the diagnosis.
