ABSTRACT
Background: Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) isdefined as a person of any age at any time of year, withthe acute onset of fever and a change in mental statussuch as confusion, disorientation, coma or inability totalk and/or new onset of seizures (excluding simplefebrile seizure). Most cases of AES are due to viralencephalitis, which is more prevalent in South EastAsia. Aim and Objectives: to study clinical profile andrisk factors for adverse outcome of AES in children inAcharya Vinoba Bhave Rural Hospital (AVBRH).Material and Methods: This cross-sectional,observational study was conducted in children withAES admitted in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)of AVBRH over period of 2 years (August 2017- July2019). Data collection were done by using predesigned,structured proforma and analyzed by using SPSSversion 22. Results: Of the 80 cases enrolled in the study31.25% were between 10-15 years. In this study male tofemale ratio was 1.5. Mostly subjects were residing inrural area (54.1%), with a common presentation of fever(100%), altered sensorium (73.7%) and convulsion(71.25%). Mortality was observed in 23.7% cases out ofwhich 40(50%) had viral etiology (other than dengue),21(26.25%) had dengue, 5(6.2%) had malaria. Thosewho presented with shock and required mechanicalventilation and had deranged Liver Function Test (LFT)profile have statistically significant correlation withmortality. Conclusion: Majority of cases were in the agegroup 10-15 years, with male predominance. DerangedLFT, presence of shock significantly associated withmortality among children with AES. Viral encephalitisis an important cause of AES