• FluTrackers.com Inc. does not provide medical advice. Information on this web site is collected from various internet resources, and the FluTrackers board of directors makes no warranty to the safety, efficacy, correctness or completeness of the information posted on this site by any author or poster. The information collated here is for instructional and/or discussion purposes only and is NOT intended to diagnose or treat any disease, illness, or other medical condition. Every individual reader or poster should seek advice from their personal physician/healthcare practitioner before considering or using any interventions that are discussed on this website. By continuing to access this website you agree to consult your personal physican before using any interventions posted on this website, and you agree to hold harmless FluTrackers.com Inc., the board of directors, the members, and all authors and posters for any effects from use of any medication, supplement, vitamin or other substance, device, intervention, etc. mentioned in posts on this website, or other internet venues referenced in posts on this website.
  • We are not asking for any donations. Do not donate to any entity who says they are raising funds for us.

Acute Childhood Encephalitis and Encephalopathy Associated With Influenza: A Prospective 11-Year Review

Sally Furniss

Well-known member
Acute Childhood Encephalitis and Encephalopathy Associated With Influenza: A Prospective 11-Year Review.
Original Studies

Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. 27(5):390-395, May 2008.
Amin, Reshma MD *+; Ford-Jones, Elizabeth MD *+++; Richardson, Susan E. MD +; MacGregor, Daune MD *+[//]; Tellier, Raymond MD, MSc +; Heurter, Helen RN *+++; Fearon, Margaret MD +[P]; Bitnun, Ari MD, MSc *+++


Abstract:



Background: Influenza virus infection has been associated with a variety of neurologic complications. The objective of this study was to evaluate prospectively the role of influenza viruses in acute childhood encephalitis/encephalopathy (ACE).

Methods: All children admitted to the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, during an 11-year period with ACE and evidence of acute influenza virus infection were included. Acute influenza virus infection was defined by detection of the organism in the nasopharynx by direct immunofluorescence microscopy or viral culture and/or by a 4-fold or greater rise in complement fixation titer.


Results: A total of 311 children with ACE were evaluated; evidence of influenza infection was detected in 7% (22 of 311). Eight were excluded from the main analysis because of evidence implicating other potential pathogens. Eleven of the 14 included subjects were <5 years of age. A respiratory prodrome was documented in 93% of subjects. In 64% neurologic manifestations developed within 5 days of onset of respiratory symptoms. Neuroimaging abnormalities were more common in children <2 years of age. Neurologic sequelae occurred in more than one-half of subjects.


Conclusions: In this prospective registry, influenza virus infection was associated with 5% of ACE cases. The majority of children were <5 years of age and the prevalence of neuroimaging abnormalities was higher in children <2 years of age suggesting that younger children are predisposed to the neurologic complications of influenza. An acute rather than a postinfectious process was suggested by the briefness of the respiratory prodrome in most cases.

http://www.pidj.com/pt/re/pidj/abst...Rp8yyBGh1DFbjhvl!1167962659!181195628!8091!-1
 
Back
Top