[Influenza-associated encephalitis/encephalopathy in childhood]

Influenza-associated acute encephalitis/encephalopathy in childhood was reviewed. Annual incidence of this disease condition is estimated as 100-500 cases in Japanese children. Mortality rate of this disease would be as high as 40% died with a rapid fulminant course. Coagulopathies, hepatic dysfunctions and brain CT abnormalities were risk factors for the poor prognosis. The destruction of the vascular endothelial cells via the activation of inflammatory cytokines by influenzavirus would presumably be the pathomechanism of the neurological dysfunction.