Doctors at Fortis Anandapur Treat Rare Case of Childhood Acute Necrotising Encephalopathy

A multidisciplinary team at Fortis Hospital, Anandapur, led by Dr Ritika Ghosh Dastidar, Consultant Paediatrician and Paediatric Intensivist, successfully managed a rare and life-threatening case of Acute Necrotising Encephalopathy of Childhood (ANEC) secondary to Influenza B in a 7-year-old child. The patient, admitted on November 23, 2025, presented with generalised seizures and posturing, rapidly progressing to cytokine storm with acute liver and renal failure. MRI brain confirmed ANEC, necessitating prolonged ventilatory support, advanced immunomodulatory therapy and several cycles of hemodialysis. Complications like sepsis, autonomic storm, severe metabolic acidosis and tracheostomy were successfully managed. Paediatric Nephrology and Paediatric Neurology were actively involved as well. 

After nearly two months of intensive care, the child was discharged on January 21, 2026 in a stable condition. Two months post-discharge, the child was breathing on his own, and eating and drinking normally. He was able to speak, and his cognition appeared to be preserved. His upper limb power improved significantly, and his lower limb power is rapidly improving.