A Hamden family is mourning after the death of their month-old infant from parechovirus, a little-known and potentially fatal illness for newborns and young infants. One medical expert is warning that this deadly virus may be more common than we think, and often goes undiagnosed.
Ronan DeLancy was born on May 21, and was home from the hospital for only 10 days before parents Kat and Mitch noticed something was off with the newborn. After a visit with his pediatrician, the DeLancy’s were told Ronan most likely had colic, but Ronan was fussy, appeared very tired, broke out in a rash and stopped feeding. After bringing him to the hospital, the infant’s oxygen level dropped rapidly and he began to have seizures. An MRI showed brain damage and testing revealed that he had parechovirus. Sadly, Ronan died at 34 days old.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on July 12 issued a health alert that parechovirus is circulating in the United States. Since May 2022, the CDC has received reports of parechovirus infections in newborns and young infants in several states.
Parechovirus is closely related to enteroviruses, which cause many common childhood infections ranging from mild to severe.
“We have always regarded them in the medical profession as viruses that cause a triad of symptoms: rash, fever and irritability, but children usually recover,” said Andrew Wong, MD, a primary care provider with Hartford HealthCare Medical Group in Westport. “Over the last five years, we’ve begun to realize that through mutations and more virulent subtypes, these viruses, particularly parechovirus, can be fatal. If not fatal, it can cause lifelong debilities such as neuromuscular weakness and developmental delays.”
Dr. Wong is warning parents, especially those with newborns and infants less than three months, to be aware of the symptoms of the virus as it is not an illness that is routinely tested for like the flu or COVID-19.
“If your baby has symptoms of fever, rash or irritability, request that a parechovirus and enterovirus test be done,” he said. “We don’t know how prevalent this virus is because we are not testing for it.”
Parechovirus is spread through oral or inhaled particles, particularly in infants and young children who frequently place their hands and objects in their mouths.
Parechovirus may cause no symptoms or only mild symptoms. But frequently, someone who has contracted parechovirus will become symptomatic two to three days after exposure. These symptoms include:
- Fever.
- Rash.
- Irritability.
- Not eating.
- Extreme tiredness.
In rare cases, parechovirus can progress to sepsis, meningitis and seizures. In these instances, the virus can cause long-term motor and neurologic deficits, such as acute flaccid myelitis, or weakness and paralysis in the arms and legs.
Current treatment for parechovirus is supportive only. At this time, there are no FDA approved anti-viral medications or vaccinations available to treat or prevent the disease. The DeLancy family hopes that by spreading awareness of parechovirus and its potential for causing serious illness and death in infants and newborns, the CDC will prioritize the development of effective treatments for parechovirus.
