SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Red, Hot and Angry- Infants With Human Parechovirus

Pdf Summary

This report describes the first case in a three-month cluster of nine infants who presented with fever, irritability, and skin changes and were ultimately found to have human parechovirus infection. The document highlights the typical clinical and laboratory features seen in these infants, including the serum and CSF findings summarized in the figures.<br /><br />Human parechovirus is increasingly recognized as an important cause of sepsis-like illness in young infants. The cases described here, along with the referenced literature, emphasize that the infection can present with nonspecific systemic symptoms and distinctive rash patterns, making it important to consider in the differential diagnosis of febrile infants. Some reported presentations include erythematous palmoplantar rashes and other unusual skin findings, and parechovirus has also been associated with seizures, CNS involvement, and neurodevelopmental concerns.<br /><br />The document includes clinical images and references supporting that parechovirus type 3 is an emerging pathogen in neonates and young infants. Overall, the report aims to raise awareness among clinicians that parechovirus should be suspected when infants present with fever, irritability, rash, and sepsis-like features, especially when standard bacterial or enteroviral evaluations are unrevealing.

Asset Subtitle

Reshma Sabnani

Meta Tag

Author List David Fish, Reshma Sabnani, Sara Hyde

Category Clinical Vignettes

Concept Human parechovirus

Concept Sepsis-like illness

Concept Infant

Concept Fever

Concept Enterovirus

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization UMass Memorial Medical Center - Children's Medical Center

Presenting Author Reshma Sabnani

Track Pediatric

Keywords

human parechovirus

parechovirus type 3

febrile infants

sepsis-like illness

fever

irritability

rash

neonates

central nervous system involvement

serum and CSF findings

Human parechovirus

Sepsis-like illness

Infant

Fever

Enterovirus