This condition may cause problems with the brain and spinal cord function. Brain abscesses can occur in all children, but are more common in young school-aged children and occur twice as often in males than in females. The more common causes of a brain abscess include viruses and bacteria.
Infection is spread from another area of infection in the body.
This accounts for approximately 20 to 50 percent of brain abscess cases. Infection is spread through the blood stream from the lung or chest area. Viral or bacterial germs enter directly into the brain through an open wound in the head. The following are the most common symptoms of a brain abscess. However, each child may experience symptoms differently.