A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights that 13% of children who died from seasonal influenza this year experienced severe neurological complications, including influenza-associated encephalopathy or encephalitis (IAE).
These conditions can lead to brain dysfunction, inflammation, and other neurological issues.
Among the reported cases, four children were diagnosed with acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE), the most severe form of IAE. ANE can result in significant neurological impairment, including brain swelling and dysfunction. The affected children, all under the age of five, had confirmed cases of influenza A (H1N1). Some had received the flu vaccine or antiviral treatment, while all required mechanical ventilation.
The CDC’s Influenza-Associated Pediatric Mortality Surveillance System, which has monitored flu-related child deaths since 2004, provided the data for this report. Over the past 15 years, IAE has been identified in approximately 9% of pediatric flu deaths, with seasonal variations ranging from 0% to 14%. This season’s preliminary data suggest a slightly higher-than-average rate at 13%. However, due to the lack of a dedicated national surveillance system for IAE and ANE, it is unclear whether these numbers represent an unexpected trend.
The CDC urges healthcare providers to consider IAE when evaluating children with flu-like symptoms and neurological signs such as seizures, altered mental status, or prolonged confusion. The agency also emphasizes the importance of flu vaccination for individuals aged six months and older as a preventive measure against severe complications.
The University of Minnesota and CDC contributed to this report.
