Mild influenza encephalopathy with biphasic seizures and late reduced diffusion

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Jun-ichi Takanashi1, Masahiro Tsuji, Kaoru Amemiya

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Kameda Medical Center, Kamogawa-Shi, Chiba, Japan. jtaka@kameda.jp

Journal of the Neurological Sciences
|March 21, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Influenza A can cause acute encephalopathy syndrome in infants, presenting with biphasic seizures and delayed brain diffusion changes. Early recognition is crucial for timely intervention and parental awareness.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Influenza A virus infections are common in infants.
  • Febrile seizures are a frequent concern in pediatric neurology.
  • Acute encephalopathy is a severe neurological complication of infections.

Observation:

  • Two infants with influenza A experienced brief febrile seizures.
  • Secondary seizures and consciousness disturbance developed on day 5.
  • MRI showed reduced subcortical diffusion around day 5.

Findings:

  • The infants were diagnosed with mild acute encephalopathy syndrome.
  • This syndrome featured biphasic seizures and late-onset reduced diffusion.
  • The condition is linked to influenza A infection.

Implications:

  • Clinicians in Asian countries must recognize this syndrome.
  • Informing parents about potential secondary progression is vital.
  • Early identification can guide management of influenza-related neurological complications.

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