Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe gastroenteritis in young children, but the pathogenesis and immunity of this disease are not completely understood. Less well recognized is the association of rotavirus-induced central nervous system (CNS) involvement, which has been associated with seizure, encephalopathy and death etc. The term 'rotavirus encephalopathy' has been used for cases of rotavirus gastroenteritis with CNS involvement as evidenced by clinical features of encephalopathy with or without CSF pleocytosis. Here, we review the recent advances regarding its causative agent, prognosis, pathogenesis, and treatment.