Rise of Rare Brain Abscesses in Kids Worries Doctors

U.S. Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) disease detectives are investigating a cluster of rare, life-threatening brain abscesses reported in Nevada. Researchers at the Southern Nevada Health District said there were 18 cases in Clark County in 2022. This is a considerable increase over the average of five cases yearly from 2015 to 2021. As a result of the announcement, other states’ health officials say they may also be seeing a rise in cases.

According to CNN, these findings were released at the annual CDC Epidemic Intelligence Service Conference last Thursday. Pediatric Neurological Surgeon Taryn M. Bragg at the Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center in Las Vegas treated the recently discussed brain abscess cases. Dr. Bragg noted a significant increase after March 2022. She said: “I was seeing large numbers of cases, and that’s unusual.” Additionally, “the similarities in terms of the presentation of cases was striking.”

However, Nevada’s brain abscess cases have declined, the neurosurgeon added. Dr. Bragg reported she treated two patients at the start of 2023 but has not seen any since.

After the conference, Dr. Sunil Sood estimates they have seen at least twice the typical number of brain abscess cases. The Pediatric Infectious Disease Specialist at the Northwell Health System in New York further stated they do not have a formal count. According to CNN, Dr. Sood encouraged the CDC health detectives to investigate the uptick further.

Brain Abscesses in Children

Boston Children’s Hospital explained that an abscess is a pocket of infection in one or more brain areas caused by a virus or bacteria. Additionally, the condition may cause problems with a child’s brain and spinal cord function.

Abscesses can occur in all children but are more common among school-aged kids, with boys being infected twice as often as girls. Moreover, each child’s symptoms differ. Fever, increased irritability, and seizures are common symptoms in babies and children.

Symptoms of brain abscess in babies and younger children include a full or bulging soft spot on the top of the head, sleepiness or less alert than usual, high-pitched cry, poor feeding, and projectile vomiting.

For older children, symptoms include complaints of severe headaches, nausea, and vomiting. They may experience personality, behavior, and speech changes and have problems walking. Additionally, an older child may have increased movement in their arms or legs.

Doctors use diagnostic tools such as X-rays, MRIs, CAT Scans, EEGs, and ICPs. They may test the stuff coughed up from the lungs and into the mouth to help determine if an infection is present. Another test doctors could order is a lumbar puncture, also called a spinal tap. Boston Children’s Hospital stresses the importance of early detection and treatment.

A child with a brain abscess needs immediate hospitalization and treatment. They need close medical monitoring. Treatments to reduce the pressure in a child’s head include medication, surgery, and a breathing machine. A child might need physical, occupational, or speech therapy to regain muscle strength and speech skills.

Children with brain abscesses must be treated right away. If your child has symptoms, call their healthcare provider right away.

Written by Cathy Milne-Ware

Sources:

CNN: Doctors watching for more cases after a mysterious cluster of brain infections strikes kids in southern Nevada; by Brenda Goodman
NBC News: Unexplained rise in life-threatening brain infections in children worries pediatricians; by Aria Bendix
CDC: Pediatric Brain Abscesses, Epidural Empyemas, and Subdural Empyemas Associated with Streptococcus Species — United States, January 2016–August 2022; by Accorsi EK, Chochua S, Moline HL, et al.
University of Rochester Medical Center: Brain Abscess in Children; Medically Reviewed by Joseph Campellone MD, Pat F Bass MD MPH, and Raymond Kent Turley BSN MSN RN

Featured and Top Image by Kristine Wook Courtesy of Unsplash
Inset Image by Nevit Dilmen Courtesy of Wikimedia – Creative Commons License