[Early diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) viral infections in the neonatal period and early infancy].

The neurological sequelae of CNS viral infections in the neonatal period and early infancy are one of the serious causes of brain dysfunction in children. It is often difficult to diagnose the CNS viral infection because of lack of neurological symptoms. But clinical manifestations are very important for early diagnosis of herpes simplex virus encephalitis and cytomegaloviral infections. We established early diagnosis of CNS viral infections by screening of serum IgM and determining 2' 5' oligoadenyl (2-5A) synthetase activity in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The results showed high serum IgM levels in 75% and abnormal high levels of 2-5 A synthetase activity in CSF of all cases of the young babies with viral meningitis.