Clinical Characteristics in Danish Children and Adults Diagnosed With Neuroborreliosis: A Retrospective Study From January 2016 to January 2024.

introductionLyme neuroborreliosis (NB), is caused by tick-borne spirochetes in the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl) genospecies complex. Although the clinical manifestations of NB in adults and children are well documented, understanding neurobiological differences between these groups can improve diagnostic accuracy and treatment approaches. This study aimed to characterize and compare the clinical presentation and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings of NB in children and adults at the time of hospital admission.

methodsRetrospective analysis was performed of 3841 patients with an intrathecal Bbsl antibody index test performed at the Department of Microbiology at Herlev Hospital (Capital region of Denmark) between January 2016 and January 2024. Adults and children were included based on the European criteria for NB and compared for symptoms, such as peripheral facial palsy, and CSF variables, such as white blood cell (WBC) counts.

resultsA total of 146 children and 267 adults were included. The annual incidence was 6.4 cases per 100 000 inhabitants. Median symptom duration before CSF analysis was 7 days for children and 21 days for adults. Facial palsy was the most common symptom in children (70%), whereas radicular pain predominated in adults (61%). CSF analysis showed significantly higher WBC counts in children vs. adults and significantly lower protein levels in children vs. adults, irrespective of symptom duration.

conclusionThere are substantial differences in the clinical presentation and CSF findings of NB between adults and children. NB incidence was much higher than previously reported in Denmark, underscoring the need for improved clinical awareness and early diagnosis.