Key result
Anti-influenza drugs associated with improved outcomes and ~9% mortality in children with severe H1N1 encephalopathy.
Why the study?
Do anti-influenza drugs and steroid pulse treatment improve outcomes in children with pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009-associated encephalopathy?
Observational (n=207)
Do anti-influenza drugs and steroid pulse treatment improve outcomes in children with pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009-associated encephalopathy?
Anti-influenza drugs may be effective in children with severe coma due to pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009-associated encephalopathy, though controlled studies are needed.
May guide care in H1N1 encephalopathy; leaves open optimal regimens pending controlled trials.
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.
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Kawashima et al. (2012) conducted an observational in Pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009-associated encephalopathy (n=207). Anti-influenza drugs and steroid pulse treatment was evaluated on Outcomes (death or sequelae). Anti-influenza drugs were statistically effective in children with H1N1-associated encephalopathy and severe coma, with an overall mortality of 8.5% (16 of 188 cases).
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