[Clinical features and prognosis of children with influenza-associated encephalopathy: an analysis of 23 cases].

Abstract

Objectives: To study the clinical and imaging features of children with influenza-associated encephalopathy (IAE), and to investigate the influencing factors for prognosis.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the medical data (clinical data, laboratory examinations, imaging data, and prognosis) of 23 children with IAE who were diagnosed and treated in Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from May 2022 to April 2023.

Results: Among the 23 patients, 18 (78%) had influenza A and 5 (22%) had influenza B. All patients had fever and encephalopathy, and 20 patients (87%) had seizures, while 11 patients (48%) had persistent convulsions. There were 10 patients (43%) with an increase in alanine aminotransferase, 14 (61%) with an increase in aspartate aminotransferase, and 18 (78%) with an increase in lactate dehydrogenase. Abnormal imaging findings were observed in 20 patients (87%), among whom 10 (43%) had acute necrotizing encephalopathy. All 23 patients received peramivir or oseltamivir. Of all patients, 12 (52%) achieved complete recovery, 5 (22%) had varying degrees of neurological dysfunction, and 6 (26%) died. Compared with the good prognosis group, the poor prognosis group had significantly higher levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase (P<0.05).

Conclusions: Fever and convulsions are the most common symptoms of children with IAE, and acute necrotizing encephalopathy is the most common clinical imaging syndrome. Increases in alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase have a certain value in predicting poor prognosis.