Managing multisystem parechovirus infection in a neonate - an experience from rural Australia

Human parechovirus (HPeV) infections in neonates and infants have been linked to outbreaks in regions including Australia, Northern Europe, and the US, resulting in long-term neurological complications. HPeV symptoms range from mild gastroenteritis and respiratory issues to severe systemic illness, including seizures and neurological damage. Human parechovirus type 3 (HPeV3) has emerged as a significant cause of sepsis-like illness in infants aged less than 3 months. We describe the case of a neonate aged 11 days with an acute abdomen and meningitis, treated at a rural hospital in Queensland, Australia. Early diagnosis of HPeV3 in this case facilitated supportive management of the neonate, and avoided unnecessary transfer to a tertiary centre.