Neurological complications of varicella in childhood: Case series and a systematic review of the literature

Although varicella has usually an uncomplicated course in early childhood, several neurological complications may occur. We conducted a study to review the type and the rate of varicella neurological complications in a case series of hospitalized immunologically healthy children over nearly a 8 year period. We also systematically reviewed data from the literature to estimate the rate of varicella neurological complications. In our case reports, the proportion of neurological complications among all those hospitalized for varicella was of 21.7% (CI 17.9–26%). The pooled prevalence of neurological complications resulting from the systematic review of the literature identifies the likelihood of such complications in the range of 13.9–20.4%. Although neurological complications of chickenpox do not frequently result in permanent sequelae, they represent significant determinants of prolonged hospital stay and of other indirect costs. The obtained results may be useful for estimating costs associated with hospitalization from varicella in cost–benefit analysis for immunization.

► The rate of varicella neurological complications in hospitalized children was of 21.7%.
► In literature varicella neurological complications is in the range of 13.9–20.4%.
► Children with neurological complications are older than those with other complications.
► Children with neurological complications have a long hospitalization.
► As well as in literature, the incidence of permanent sequelae is low.