Therapeutic outcome of hypothermia therapy in children with influenza virus-associated encephalopathy

Abstract In Japan, influenza virus-associated encephalopathy (influenza encephalopathy) has become a topic of public interest, but there is no established reliable treatment. We have already reported that mild hypothermia therapy resulted in excellent recovery for children with acute encephalopathy. We decided to treat influenza encephalopathy using systemic, mild, hypothermia therapy. We investigated the clinical characteristics and therapeutic outcome of this therapy. Subjects were 11 consecutive patients, who were diagnosed with influenza encephalopathy. Systemic mild hypothermia was set at 34–36 °C. Ten children were infected by the Influenza A virus and one by the Influenza B virus. Nine children were medicated with nonsteroidal and antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) prior to onset of encephalopathy. All patients had a blood coagulation abnormality and others. Following hypothermia therapy, 10 children survived, five with handicap and the remaining five without any problem. Considering the severity of encephalopathy in our subjects, mild hypothermia therapy may improve the outcome of children with influenza encephalopathy. Mild hypothermia therapy may be one of the most useful treatments for severe cases of influenza encephalopathy.