CNS Complications of Varicella-Zoster Virus in the Postvaccine Era

Encephalitis is the most common central nervous system (CNS) complication of infection with varicella-zoster virus (VZV), but stroke can also occur. Less common complications include Guillain-Barré syndrome and Ramsay-Hunt syndrome. Although VZV vaccination has reduced the incidence of primary varicella disease and associated complications (NEJM JW Pediatr Adolesc Med Jul 16 2014), risk remains in unvaccinated children. To describe neurologic complications in the post-VZV vaccine era, researchers retrospectively examined records of all children with neurologic complications of VZV infection who were admitted to a single Canadian children's hospital between 1999 and 2012. VZV vaccine was introduced in Canada in 1999, and full coverage in chi…