Central nervous system manifestations of parainfluenza virus type 3 infections in childhood.

Three children were admitted within an 8-week period with parainfluenza virus type 3 infection accompanied by encephalitis. All 3 patients had electroencephalograms characterized by slowing, disorganization of background activity, and multifocal sharp-wave activity with temporal predominance. Apnea and periodic breathing were observed in 1 patient, opsoclonus-myoclonus in another, and disease mimicking herpes encephalitis in the third. All 3 patients recovered without neurologic residua.