Doctors in the United States are seeing a dramatic increase in life-threatening brain infections in children, with no known root cause. Physicians in Nevada and New York have reported concerns about pediatric brain abscesses and want answers as to why cases continue to pop up. A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlighted potential contributing factors but nothing conclusive.
At this point, everything from bacteria to COVID-19 are considered risk factors. But according to a recent NBC News report, doctors are not required to report brain abscesses. Although the numbers may seem frightening now, things could be worse than they appear if there are considerably more undocumented cases. This has left some doctors asking for better monitoring.
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Cases in Clark County, Nevada, have nearly quadrupled.
During an April 27 presentation, researchers from the Southern Nevada Health District reported 18 cases of pediatric brain abscesses in Clark County in 2022. This was a sharp increase from the annual average of five cases from 2015 to 2021. CNN reported the findings released at the CDC's annual Epidemic Intelligence Service Conference.
Dr. Taryn Bragg, a University of Utah associate professor, told NBC News that during spring 2022, she continually treated brain abscesses. "Every single call I was getting from the ER was a kid coming in with a brain abscess," she said.
The increase is puzzling, as brain abscesses are rare.
According to Bragg, she has only seen two cases since the beginning of 2023, which hopefully means the infections are declining. Generally, brain abscesses, which occur when bacteria or fungi cause an infection, are considered rare, NBC News reported. Even still, they are extremely dangerous and can cause brain damage or death.
The CDC completed a study and concluded the situation is not actually all that unusual.
The agency investigated brain abscess increases and noted an increase in 2021, stating a peak occurred in March 2022. The report stated that was, "consistent with historical seasonal fluctuations observed since 2016," indicating that the current surge follows a pattern, NBC News reported.
Bragg, however, insisted that the study ended before cases began to ramp up in Nevada.
It's not just Nevada, though.
Although Bragg's state is seeing increases, so are doctors in other areas. Dr. Shaun Rodgers, a pediatric neurosurgeon at Cohen Children's Medical Center in New York, told NBC News he is still seeing an increase in brain abscess cases. Thus far in 2023, however, his hospital's total is still in the single digits.
"It's not just us. It's hospitals all over the country," Rodgers said. "When we're talking to colleagues, it seems like everyone is feeling that we've definitely had an uptick in these types of infections."
Dr. Samir Shah, vice chairman of clinical affairs and education at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, coauthored the CDC report and told NBC News that even though pediatric brain abscesses only occur in approximately one in eight million people, increases are always a concern.
"We always worry when we hear people say, 'Hey, we're seeing a little bit more of this.' All of a sudden we're on high guard because, if there is something going on, we absolutely want to know."
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What is happening?
In short, doctors aren't really sure. There are theories such as increased strep infections and upper respiratory illnesses. It is even possible that COVID-19 could be an outlying cause of the increase. And perhaps because life appears to be returning to that of a pre-pandemic world, more illness and infection is spreading.
"As soon as we started to undo some of these [pandemic restrictions], you started to see the viruses come back, you saw more sinus infections, and then, not surprisingly, you ended up seeing more brain abscesses," Shah said, according to NBC News.
Because they are serious, parents need to know the warning signs of brain abscesses. Common symptoms include fever, headache, and vomiting. Shah said children might also exhibit stroke-like symptoms such as slurred speech or impaired motor skills.
Brain abscesses are treated with antibiotics, often requiring an extended hospital stay and surgery.
