Treatment of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009-associated encephalopathy in children

Abstract

Background: The novel pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 virus (influenza A(H1N1)pdm09) caused an epidemic of critical illness, with some patients developing fatal encephalopathy as well as pneumonia. Methods: To investigate the actual efficacy of treatments, we investigated data from questionnaires regarding 207 cases that occurred between September 2009 and February 2010. Results: The outcomes were recorded in 188 of the 207 cases; 16 of 188 patients died, while 23 had sequelae. Anti-influenza drugs in patients with severe coma (Glasgow coma scale score of ≤ 8) were statistically effective. In 165 out of 199 cases, steroid pulse treatment with methylprednisolone was given at an early stage. Other intensive treatments were mostly administered in serious cases. Conclusions: Controlled studies are needed to investigate the efficacy of other treatments except for anti-influenza drugs.

Keywords::

• Methylprednisolone
• anti-influenza drug
• influenza vaccine
• edaravone

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the physicians who participated in the survey despite their busy schedules. This study was supported by a grant from the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare of Japan.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.