Purpose: Seizures are the most frequently reported neurologic complication during an influenza epidemic. Even older than 5 years, influenza-associated seizure increases significantly in children. This study sought to better understand the risks and outcomes of seizures associated with epidemic influenza in the pediatric population. Method: We retrospectively reviewed the medical charts of children with laboratoryconfirmed influenza between December 2013 and April 2015. Data analyzed included patient's demographics, clinical presentation, radiological and electroencephalographic findings, management and prognosis. Results: A total of 290 children (male 168, female 122) were identified as having laboratory-confirmed influenza A (211 of 290; 72.8%) or B (79 of 290; 27.2%). The mean age was 4.6 years (range, 0.1-17.2 years). Among them, 30 (10.3%) patients had seizures at a median age 4.8 years (range, 0.7-15.0 years), including 10 (33.3%) patients older than 5 years. All patients had fever and 17 (56.7%) patients had history of febrile seizure. Mostly, they showed generalized seizure (25 of 30; 83.3%) and prolonged seizure of less than 5 minutes (28 of 30; 93.3%). Sixteen (53.3%) underwent Electroencephalogram (EEG) and revealed normal finding in all patients. Brain Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) was performed in 5 (16.7%) patients without abnormality. Four patients (13.3%) had more seizures during febrile illness but no need to treat with intravenous antiepileptic drugs. All patients discharged to home without complication. Conclusion: Although most patients with influenza-associated seizure had benign clinical course, we should be aware of occurrence in all age group of childhood as well as beyond the typical age at which febrile seizures.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.