Neurological Disorders Associated with Human Parvovirus B19v Infection in Immunocompetent Children

Abstract

Human parvovirus B19v infection is associated with a wide range of clinical manifestations, including exanthem, arthralgia, fetal hydrops, aplastic crisis, and chronic anemia. Neurological complications are uncommon, with reported cases—mostly in children—describing encephalitis, meningitis, meningoencephalitis, encephalopathy, seizures, microcephaly, hydrocephalus, and cerebellar damage. Neuroimaging and electroencephalographic findings have been variable; while some patients recovered without sequelae, others had fatal outcomes (12%). We report two cases of immunocompetent children presenting with neurological manifestations associated with B19V infection, with no similar cases previously documented in our country. The current literature is limited and heterogeneous, and the true incidence of these presentations remains unclear. These findings underscore the need for further research into the neuropathogenic role of B19V and support its consideration in the differential diagnosis of acute neurological syndromes in pediatric patients.