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Reversible frontal lobe syndrome associated with influenza virus infection in children
Insights
Influenza A virus can cause focal encephalopathy in children, affecting frontal and limbic brain areas. This condition, though rare, appears reversible with good patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Influenza A virus is a common respiratory pathogen in children.
- While influenza can cause diffuse encephalopathies with poor prognoses, focal presentations are less understood.
- Neuropsychological and neuroimaging findings in pediatric influenza-associated encephalopathy require further elucidation.
Abstract:
Two patients, a 3-year-old female and a 1-year-old female, both with a focal encephalopathic process associated with influenza A virus infection, are reported. Both children had neuropsychologic signs suggesting frontal and limbic dysfunction, without disturbances of consciousness or motor function, and had good recoveries. The results of single-photon emission computed tomography and electroencephalography support the finding of reversible impairment of the frontal and limbic areas. Focal reversible encephalopathy has rarely been reported in association with influenza virus infection, although it often provokes diffuse encephalopathies, with a poor prognosis.