Serious Neurologic Complications Uncommon in Children Younger Than 5 With Flu

TUESDAY, Feb. 25, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Serious neurologic complications are uncommon among young children with influenza but occur more often among those with underlying neurologic conditions, according to a study published online Feb. 12 in Academic Pediatrics.

Brooke P. Quertermous, M.D., from the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, and colleagues conducted a retrospective cohort study of children aged younger than 5 years enrolled in a Medicaid program during the 2016 to 2017 through 2019 to 2020 influenza seasons to examine the incidence of influenza-associated serious neurologic events.

Overall, 79,727 influenza cases were included among 70,258 unique children. The researchers found that the overall incidence of serious influenza-associated neurologic events was 38.0 per 100,000 person-weeks of influenza. Seizure was the most common serious neurologic event (34.5 per 100,000 person-weeks of influenza), while the least common was encephalitis and ataxia/movement disorders (0.9 per 100,000 person-weeks of influenza). The incidence rates were generally higher in children aged younger than 2 years and were significantly more common in those with neurologic conditions. Incidence rates were similar for those with and without influenza antiviral use.

“This study emphasizes the importance of preventing and treating influenza to prevent potentially life-altering influenza complications, especially among young children with an underlying neurologic comorbidity,” the authors write.

Two authors disclosed ties to the pharmaceutical industry.

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