Four kids at Boston Children’s Hospital are experiencing the same limb paralysis, brain malfunction and spinal abnormalities for which 10 children in Colorado have been hospitalized — and doctors are checking to see if enterovirus D68 is to blame.
The patients, ranging in age from 4 to 15, all had respiratory sicknesses before their new limb weaknesses began. One has been discharged and three remain in the hospital.
One child at Boston Children’s Hospital tested negative for enterovirus D68, and the hospital is awaiting results for the three other patients.
“We are approaching each patient on a case-by-case basis to work them up thoroughly for causes of their weakness and determine the approrpriate treatment,” Dr. Mark Gorman of Boston Children’s Hospital told CNN.
Last week, 10 children in Colorado were hospitalized with similar symptoms, and MRIs of their spinal fluid showed abnormalities. Six out of eight patients tested had enterovirus in their nasal passages, and four of them tested positive for entervoirus D68. The other two results are still unknown.
Enterovirus D68 has sent 472 people from 41 states to the hospital from mid-August to Sept. 30, the CDC said. Enteroviruses — which are common this time of year — are usually less severe and cause cold-like symptoms. This season though, some patients have developed severe respiratory illnesses that required mechanical ventilation at the hospital.
Enterovirus D68 is in the same family as the poliovirus, but doctors in Colorado do not suspect polio in the 10 ill children because at least eight of them are up to date on their vaccines.
Last year, a group of children in California came down with same muscle weakness symptoms, and two of the children tested positive for enterovirus D68.
It’s unclear if the paralysis currently happening will lead to permanent damage.
