Microorganisms
Neurological Complications and Viral Myositis in Pediatric Patients with Influenza Infection Attending a Tertiary Hospital in Madrid
By Paula Cabrera Cascajero, Nieves Dueñas Sánchez-Valdemoro, Alessandra G. Villanueva Guerra and 6 others.
Abstract
Background
Influenza infection in children may be associated with neurological complications, including seizures and encephalitis, as well as suspected acute viral myositis, which may result in significant morbidity.
Objective
This study aimed to estimate the incidence of neurological complications and suspected acute viral myositis in pediatric patients with laboratory-confirmed influenza and explore clinical and epidemiological characteristics potentially associated with these complications.
Methods
A retrospective observational study was conducted including children aged 0–18 years with laboratory-confirmed influenza A or B who attended a tertiary hospital in Madrid between 2017 and 2023. Neurological complications were defined as seizures or encephalitis during the influenza episode. Incidence of complications and hospital admissions was analyzed across epidemiological periods (pre-pandemic, pandemic, and post-pandemic).