Beyond The Usual – Infection Triggered Encephalopathy Syndromes (ITES) In Children

Infections of the central nervous system have significant long-term morbidity and mortality in the paediatric population in both developing and developed countries. One of the dreaded presentations seen in children is that of acute febrile encephalopathy that is triggered by infectious or non-infectious agents. The COVID 19/SARS-CoV pandemic gave us newer insights into the role of immune dysregulation that is triggered by an antecedent infection. Since then, multiple new terminologies have been defined based on imaging characteristics in children presenting with acute encephalopathy. This is now collectively termed as infection triggered encephalopathy syndrome (ITES). This review looks at the expanding spectrum of infective conditions of the CNS in children and how early differentiation of the various conditions can impact the management and overall clinical outcome.