Influenza vaccination in children with neurologic or neurodevelopmental disorders

Michael Smith1, Georgina Peacock2, Timothy M Uyeki3

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, United States.

Vaccine
|April 4, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Influenza vaccination rates in children with neurologic disorders are suboptimal, similar to healthy children. Increased education for parents and healthcare providers on the benefits of annual flu shots is crucial.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Vaccinology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Children with neurologic or neurodevelopmental disorders (NNDDs) face higher risks of influenza complications.
  • Despite recognition of NNDDs as high-risk by the ACIP since 2005, vaccination practices remain understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess influenza vaccination rates and parental intent among children with NNDDs.
  • To evaluate healthcare providers' recognition of NNDDs as high-risk for influenza complications.

Main Methods:

  • Surveys of parents of children with chronic conditions, including NNDDs.
  • Surveys of pediatricians caring for high-risk children.
  • Analysis of vaccination status, parental intent, and physician recognition of high-risk conditions.

Main Results:

  • 50% of children with an NNDD were vaccinated or intended for vaccination.
  • NNDD presence was not significantly associated with vaccination, unlike respiratory conditions or prior vaccination.
  • Physician recognition of high-risk conditions varied, with cerebral palsy recognized by 74% but epilepsy and intellectual disability by less than 51%.

Conclusions:

  • Influenza vaccination rates in children with NNDDs are suboptimal and comparable to healthy children.
  • There is a need for enhanced education for parents and healthcare providers regarding the importance and benefits of annual influenza vaccination for children with NNDDs.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Vaccinations01:51

Vaccinations

Overview
54.6K
Influenza01:27

Influenza

Influenza is an acute, highly communicable viral disease that affects the respiratory tract and is responsible for seasonal epidemics worldwide. Influenza A is the most prevalent type associated with widespread outbreaks and is subtyped based on two surface glycoproteins: hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N), as in H1N1. These glycoproteins are essential for viral infectivity, transmission, and immune recognition. Transmission occurs primarily through respiratory droplets and contaminated...
52
Drug Dosing: Infants and Children01:29

Drug Dosing: Infants and Children

Pediatric patient dosages diverge from adults due to disparities in body surface area, total body water, and extracellular fluid per kilogram of body weight. The dosing regimen considers the variations in pharmacokinetics and pharmacology across distinct age groups, encompassing preterm newborns, infants, young children, older children, and adolescents. Calculation of pediatric patient doses is predicated on determining body surface area, which exhibits a superior correlation with the child's...
896
Arboviral Encephalitis01:25

Arboviral Encephalitis

Arboviral encephalitis refers to brain inflammation caused by arthropod-borne viruses, particularly those transmitted through mosquito vectors. Among these, West Nile virus (WNV), a member of the Flaviviridae family, is a significant public health concern. WNV is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus. Human infection typically begins when an infected mosquito introduces the virus into the dermis during feeding. The primary transmission cycle involves birds as amplifying hosts...
46
Viral Meningitis01:18

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
151
Vaccines01:21

Vaccines

Vaccines are among the most effective tools in preventive medicine, designed to prepare the immune system to recognize and combat infectious agents. By introducing antigens—substances that the immune system identifies as foreign—vaccines stimulate an adaptive immune response that leads to immunological memory. This immunological memory enables the body to mount a faster and more effective response upon future exposures to the actual pathogen.Vaccines can be categorized based on the...
59