Čes-slov Pediat 2025, 80(Suppl.1):9-13 | DOI: 10.55095/CSPediatrie2025/020

Risks and sequelae of tick-borne encephalitis in children

Dita Smíšková, Martin Slížek

Klinika infekčních nemocí, 2. lékařská fakulta, Univerzita Karlova a Fakultní nemocnice Bulovka, Praha

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is the most common viral infection of the central nervous system in the Czech Republic. Due to climatic changes, infected

ticks are found at higher altitudes and their seasonal activity is prolonged. This article summarises the current knowledge on epidemiology, clinical manifestations and prevention of TBE in children. The course of TBE in children may differ from that in adults. The disease often occurs in two phases, with the second phase in children manifesting as meningitis (50-70 % of cases),

meningoencephalitis (about 30 %) or encephalomyelitis. There are no specific antiviral drugs and treatment is only symptomatic. Paretic complications are rare in children, but up to 66 % of paediatric patients report long-term memory and concentration problems and increased fatigue after TBE. Vaccination is the most effective prevention of TBE and is recommended for all children living in endemic

areas from the age of 1 year.

Keywords: tick-borne encephalitis, children, vaccination, neurological complications, long-term sequelae, prevention, epidemiology

Accepted: April 10, 2025; Published: August 1, 2025  Show citation