Influenza-associated encephalopathy in Japan.
Although the clinical entity of influenza-associated encephalopathy (influenza encephalopathy) has not gained universal recognition, it has been reported frequently as a complication of influenza in Japanese children. The influenza type A (H3N2) virus was detected in most cases. Most of the patients have been young children. Influenza encephalopathy typically is associated with a sudden onset of high fever, severe convulsions, rapidly progressive coma, and death within 2 or 3 days. Influenza encephalopathy reported in Japan is distinct from Reye syndrome, and one-fourth of patients exhibit bilateral thalamic necrosis on neuroimaging. Similar encephalopathic symptoms probably occur in North America and European countries.
Department of Pediatrics, Nippon Kokan Hospital, 1-2-1 Kokandori, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 210-0852, Japan. sugaya-n@za2.so-net.ne.jp
Norio
N
Sugaya
D000547:Amantadine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D002648:Child; D003128:Coma / Q000209:etiology; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D009980:Influenza A virus; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000150:complications* / Q000517:prevention & control; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D004684:Leukoencephalitis, Acute Hemorrhagic / Q000209:etiology; D009336:Necrosis; D011859:Radiography; D012640:Seizures / Q000209:etiology; D013788:Thalamus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D014611:Vaccination
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000547:Amantadine