Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 9, 2026

Production of High-Titer Infectious Influenza Pseudotyped Particles with Envelope Glycoproteins from Highly Pathogenic H5N1 and Avian H7N9 Viruses
08:10

Production of High-Titer Infectious Influenza Pseudotyped Particles with Envelope Glycoproteins from Highly Pathogenic H5N1 and Avian H7N9 Viruses

Published on: January 15, 2020

8.3K

Characteristics and outcome of influenza-associated encephalopathy/encephalitis among children in China

Min Yang1, Ling Yi2, Fenglin Jia3

  • 1Department of Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Sichuan University, Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.

Clinics (Sao Paulo, Brazil)
|August 3, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Influenza-Associated Encephalopathy/Encephalitis (IAE) in children has a high mortality rate. Factors like low Glasgow coma score and underlying conditions increase poor prognosis risk, highlighting the importance of influenza vaccination.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Influenza-Associated Encephalopathy/Encephalitis (IAE) presents a significant clinical challenge due to its high incidence and poor prognosis in pediatric populations.
  • Understanding the clinical spectrum and outcomes of IAE is crucial for improving patient management and outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To delineate the clinical characteristics, treatment modalities, and survival outcomes of pediatric patients diagnosed with Influenza-Associated Encephalopathy/Encephalitis.
  • To identify key factors associated with mortality and poor prognosis in children affected by IAE.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective review was conducted on hospitalized pediatric cases with laboratory-confirmed influenza infection between January 2018 and December 2021.
  • Data collected included demographics, clinical presentation, neuroimaging findings, treatments administered, and patient outcomes. Statistical analysis was performed to identify significant associations.

Main Results:

  • Out of 446 children hospitalized with influenza, 71 cases of IAE were identified. The majority of affected children were under 5 years old, and only one patient had received seasonal influenza vaccination.
  • Abnormal electroencephalogram (EEG) and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) findings were prevalent in over 64% of patients. Antiviral treatment with oseltamivir or peramivir was administered to 95.8% of patients.
  • The mortality rate for IAE was 16.9%. Non-survivors were significantly associated with lower Glasgow coma scores, prolonged fever duration, underlying medical conditions, and a higher incidence of complications such as sepsis, shock, respiratory failure, and myocardial damage.

Conclusions:

  • Influenza-Associated Encephalopathy/Encephalitis carries a substantial mortality risk in children.
  • Lower Glasgow coma score, extended fever duration, pre-existing medical conditions, and the presence of complications are critical indicators of poor prognosis.
  • Influenza vaccination is strongly recommended for all eligible children to mitigate the risk of IAE and its severe consequences.
Abstract

Keywords:
CharacteristicsChildrenEncephalitisEncephalopathyInfluenza

More Related Videos

Detection of Polyfunctional T Cells in Children Vaccinated with Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine via the Flow Cytometry Technique09:37

Detection of Polyfunctional T Cells in Children Vaccinated with Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine via the Flow Cytometry Technique

Published on: September 23, 2022

1.9K
Standardization of Transfer across Labs between Flow Cytometers for Detection of Lymphocytes in Japanese Encephalitis Vaccinated Children06:22

Standardization of Transfer across Labs between Flow Cytometers for Detection of Lymphocytes in Japanese Encephalitis Vaccinated Children

Published on: February 10, 2023

967

Related Concept Videos

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...
Poliomyelitis01:17

Poliomyelitis

Poliomyelitis is caused by poliovirus, a small, non-enveloped, positive-sense RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family and Enterovirus genus. Transmission occurs primarily via the fecal-oral route, often through ingestion of contaminated water or food. The virus initially replicates in the oropharynx and intestinal mucosa, particularly in lymphoid tissues such as the tonsils, Peyer’s patches, and regional lymph nodes. Primary viremia follows, allowing dissemination throughout the body.In most...
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...
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...
Encephalitis l: Introduction01:19

Encephalitis l: Introduction

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology01:26

Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...