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Flu-like illness may be linked to hospitalization for febrile convulsions
Influenza-like illness (ILI) appears to be associated with hospitalization for febrile convulsions in preschoolers, especially in years when the H3N2 strain dominates, according to a study in the Journal of Infection. Danish researchers examined data on 59,870 admissions for febrile convulsions in children between 3 months and 5 years old from 1995 to 2005. They found a risk ratio of 2.05 for being hospitalized with febrile convulsions when ILI activity was above 3% for the population, compared with when ILI was less than 1%. Overall, febrile convulsions increased 10.6% during flu seasons, but the team found the largest increases were during seasons of H3N2 dominance, especially when a new strain emerged. During new-H3N2-strain years, influenza contributed to 29% to 47% of admissions.
Feb 2 J Infect abstract
Influenza-like illness (ILI) appears to be associated with hospitalization for febrile convulsions in preschoolers, especially in years when the H3N2 strain dominates, according to a study in the Journal of Infection. Danish researchers examined data on 59,870 admissions for febrile convulsions in children between 3 months and 5 years old from 1995 to 2005. They found a risk ratio of 2.05 for being hospitalized with febrile convulsions when ILI activity was above 3% for the population, compared with when ILI was less than 1%. Overall, febrile convulsions increased 10.6% during flu seasons, but the team found the largest increases were during seasons of H3N2 dominance, especially when a new strain emerged. During new-H3N2-strain years, influenza contributed to 29% to 47% of admissions.
Feb 2 J Infect abstract
