Comparison of tick-borne encephalitis between children and adults—analysis of 669 patients

Abstract

The aim of our study was to compare the course of TBE in children and adults. A retrospective analysis of the medical records of 669 patients was performed. The patients were categorized into 2 groups: Group I with 68 children and group II with 601 adults. TBE symptoms in children were milder compared with adults, with meningitis in 97% of cases. In adults, meningoencephalitis and meningoencephalomyelitis made up 49.26% of cases. Nausea and vomiting are more frequent in children, while neurological manifestations are more frequent in adults. There were no differences in CSF pleocytosis at the onset of disease in both groups, while CSF protein concentration was higher in adults. Children treated with corticosteroids over 7 days had higher checkup pleocytosis than pleocytosis at the onset of disease compared with adults. Corticosteroid use prolongs the disease duration but does not influence the development of TBE sequelae. Children had more favourable outcomes than adult patients.