Clinical characterization of neonatal and pediatric enteroviral infections: an Italian single center study

Enteroviruses (EVs) are an important cause of illness, especially in neonates and young infants. Clinical and laboratory findings at different ages, brain imaging, and outcomes have been inadequately investigated. We retrospectively investigated EV infections occurring at an Italian tertiary care center during 2006-2017. Cases were confirmed with a positive polymerase chain reaction on blood or cerebrospinal fluid. Clinical and laboratory findings according to age at presentation were analyzed. Among 61 cases of EV infection, 56 had meningitis, 4 had encephalitis, and 1 had unspecific febrile illness. Forty-seven cases (77.0%) presented at less than 1 year of age, and most were less than 90 days of age (n = 44). Presentation with fever (p