Pediatric Influenza-Associated Encephalopathy: A Case Report
Elif Feyzanur Arslan1
, Resul Yilmaz2
1Kastamonu Training and Research Hospital, Child Diseases, Kastamonu, Türkiye
2Selcuk University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Critical Care, Konya, Türkiye
Keywords: influenza-associated encephalopathy, acute necrotizing encephalopathy, pediatric neurology, cytokine storm
Abstract
Influenza-Associated Encephalopathy (IAE) is a rare but highly fatal neurological complication of influenza infection, especially prevalent in the pediatric age group. The condition is characterized by an abrupt onset of neurological symptoms and a risk of severe, irreversible damage. IAE is primarily understood to be a non-infectious complication triggered by a massive systemic inflammatory response, or cytokine storm, rather than direct viral invasion of the central nervous system. A severe manifestation of this syndrome is known as Acute Necrotizing Encephalopathy (ANE). In this report, we present two pediatric cases of Influenza-Associated Encephalopathy to highlight the variability in clinical presentation and the importance of early recognition and supportive management.
Cite this article as: Arslan EF, Yilmaz R. Pediatric influenza-associated encephalopathy: a case report. Pediatr Acad Case Rep. 2026;5(2):56-9.