Anxiety disorders in acute central nervous system infections

BACKGROUND: Patients affected by acute central nervous system (ACNS) infectionsmay present different complications, including neuropsychological disorders. Nevertheless, psychopathological impairment has been rarely measured by appropriate and validated tests. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Survivors of childhood ACNS infections admitted to the Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Rome, Italy, from June 2013 to June 2015 were re-evaluated at follow-up from June 2016 to June 2017. Both patients and their parents underwent a psychological interview and neuropsychological tests (the Leiter International Performance Scale – revised (Leiter-R), the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL), the K-SADS-PL test). RESULTS: Thirty children were included in the study. The mean score of IQ and fluid reasoning was within the normal range. A percentage of 20% of the children enrolled showed criteria for generalized anxiety disorder. CONCLUSION: Our study revealed the importance of follow-up evaluations after ACNS infections, in order to prevent mayor psychological sequelae and to perform treatment or rehabilitation.