An unusual illness in young children associated with an enteric virus.

During August and September, 1954, 10 babies (seven girls and three boys with ages ranging from 3 to 14 months) were admitted to the Shadwell branch of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for Children. They all showed a similar clinical picture, of uncertain aetiology, with irritability, fever, a maculopapular rash, enlargement of superficial lymph nodes, vomiting and diarrhoea. Changes in the cerebrospinal fluid (C.S.F.) were found. None was seriously ill at any time and all made a straightforward recovery. Eight patients came from neighbouring East End (E.1 and E.14) districts of London. One patient came from South Ockendon, Essex, a housing estate to which many Shadwell families have moved, and one patient developed the illness while in hospital with a chest complaint.