Tick-borne encephalitis in a 17-day-old newborn resulting in severe neurologic impairment.

The reported cases of infant tick-borne encephalitis give the impression that the morbidity in this age group is negligible. We describe the first report of infection in the neonatal period that resulted in severe neurologic impairment. All persons living in or traveling to endemic areas should be protected by vaccination. This applies equally and especially to women of childbearing age. Transplacental transfer of antibody after vaccination has been observed and could provide protection to unvaccinated newborns preventing or alleviating the potential devastating impact of this disease.