Neurocysticercosis is quite common in India(1) but by virtue of its prolonged incubation period (average 7 years) and the nutritional habits of infants, it is rarely seen in this age-group(2,3).

A previously healthy twelve month-old male child presented to us with a history of three episodes of sudden onset, right-sided tonic-clonic seizures followed by unconsciousness for about ten minutes after each episode, over last five days. There was no associated fever, head trauma, tubercular contact or family history of seizures. The family belonged to the lower socioeconomic group and resided in an urban slum and grew vegetables in a small patch of land. Parents were non vegetarian, but did not consume pork. The child’s present diet included top milk, soft gruel and/or some items from the family pot, and breastfeeding. Sanitary toilet facility and safe water were not available to the family. There was no history of worm infestation in the child or the family. On admission, a soft to firm, well-defined, non-tender and non-fluctuant subcutaneous swelling about 2×3 cm in size was noticed in the lumbosacral region. Examination and routine investigations were normal. FNAC of the sacral swelling revealed cysticercus cellulosae. A CECT scan of head revealed a single inflammatory granuloma suggestive of neuro-cysticercosis. The child was treated with anti-epileptics and cysticidals in view of disseminated cysticercosis. The child has been seizure free for the last 10 months. The subcutaneous swelling has also regressed in size.

Only two authors(4,5) have reported neurocysticercosis in infants and none has reported disseminated disease. An early presentation of disseminated disease in this case suggests that the long incubation period reported is not absolute and other factors like the innate immunity of the individual do have a role in modifying the presentation. Food habits and faecal disposal practices play a major role in the spread of the disease in India(1). Hygienic food handling practices and hand washing must be emphasized for prevention of neurocysticercosis.

1. Rajshekhar V, Joshi DD, Doanh NQ, Van De N, Xiaonong Z. Taenia solium taeniosis/ cysticercosis in Asia: epidemiology, impact and issues. Acta Trop 2003; 87: 53-60.

2. Vasconcelos MM, Ramos MR, Schwan PJ, Domingues R, Alencar KC, Herdy GH. Neurocysticercosis in a preschool age child. Arq Neuropsiquatr 2000; 58: 909-912.

3. Stamos JK, Rowley AH, Hahn YS, Chadwick EG, Schantz PM, Wilson M. Neurocysticercosis: report of unusual pediatric cases. Pediatrics 1996; 98: 974-977.

4. Basu S, Ramchandran U, Thapliyal A. Clinical profile and outcome of pediatric neurocysti-cercosis: A study from Western Nepal. J Pediatr Neurol 2007; 5: 45-52.