Incidence rates generally higher in children aged younger than 2 years<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter<\/b>
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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<\/em>.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n Two authors disclosed ties to the pharmaceutical industry.<\/p>\n Abstract\/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)<\/a><\/p>\n