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A recent study has revealed a significantly increased risk of serious neurologic complications in young children with underlying conditions who contract the flu. The study, published in Academic Pediatrics, underscores the need for heightened awareness and improved vaccination efforts to protect vulnerable children.
Titled “Serious Neurologic Events with Seasonal Influenza in Young Children,” the study examined the underrecognized population-based incidence of severe influenza-associated neurologic events in children under the age of five. While such complications remain relatively rare in healthy children, researchers found that the incidence is nearly 50 times greater in children with pre-existing neurologic conditions.
Key Findings and Implications
“Before this study, we had no idea how common these events were,” said Dr. James Antoon, assistant professor of Pediatrics at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. “This is the first study to quantify how frequently young children with influenza experience these complications. Awareness of these risks is critical.”
Neurologic complications linked to influenza include seizures, meningitis, encephalitis or encephalopathy, altered mental status, ataxia, and movement disorders. The study defined its primary outcome as influenza-related hospitalizations with a neurologic diagnosis.
Dr. Brooke Quertermous, a third-year Pediatrics resident at Monroe Carell and the study’s lead author, emphasized the need for better vaccination and treatment efforts for high-risk children. “These findings stress the importance of targeted interventions for children most vulnerable to these complications,” she said.
Study Details
The study analyzed a retrospective cohort of children under five years old enrolled in a Tennessee Medicaid program during the 2016–2020 flu seasons. Researchers reviewed 79,727 influenza cases among 70,258 children.
“Young children are already at high risk for flu complications,” Quertermous noted. “A clearer understanding of these serious neurologic events is vital for informing public health initiatives. Increased awareness can lead to improved prevention and treatment strategies.”
Tennessee ranks among the top five states for influenza cases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Tennessee was classified in the highest tier of “very high” flu activity for the week ending February 1.
Given this, public health experts stress the importance of enhanced flu awareness and communication. “The Massachusetts Department of Public Health and other agencies have issued advisories about the increased incidence of serious neurologic flu complications in children this season,” Antoon added.
“Specifically, conditions such as necrotizing encephalitis and encephalopathy appear to be reported at higher rates compared to previous years.”
Public Health Recommendations
Experts urge healthcare providers and parents to consider the potential for severe neurologic complications when discussing flu vaccination and treatment options. Given the study’s findings, targeted prevention efforts for high-risk children are more critical than ever.
For more information, refer to the study: Brooke P. Quertermous et al., Serious Neurologic Events with Seasonal Influenza in Young Children, Academic Pediatrics (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.acap.2025.102801.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Parents and caregivers should consult healthcare professionals regarding flu prevention and treatment for their children.
