Children, Influenza, Encephalopathy, Clinical Characteristics, Laboratory Index

Background: To explore the early clinical features and laboratory findings of influenza-associated acute necrotizing encephalopathy (IANE). Methods: The demographics data, clinical manifestations, and laboratory indicators of cases diagnosed with IANE and influenza with febrile convulsions (FS), respectively, admitted to Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center from January 2016 to January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Among the 25 cases of IANE, there were 9 males and 16 females, aged 3 to 6 years. The mortality rate was 40.00% (10/25). Influenza virus type A in 9 cases (36.00%) and influenza virus type B in 10 cases (40.00%). The main clinical manifestations of children with IANE were acute disorders of consciousness (64.00%, 16/25) and convulsions (72.00%, 18/25), which were statistically significant when compared with the FS group (P < 0.05). Typical changes on cranial MRI of IANE were cerebral edema, typically with symmetric necrosis of the thalamus and other brain structures. Significant differences (P < 0.05) existed between the IANE and FS groups in laboratory indicators for ALT, AST, CK-MB, LDH, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) microprotein, CSF LDH, which were above the normal reference range. In addition, logistic regression analysis showed that LDH ≥ 348.5 U/L predicted a significantly higher risk of IANE. Conclusions: Children with influenza present early with acute impairment of consciousness or convulsive seizures, or with elevated AST, ALT, CK-MB, LDH, and CSF protein and CSF LDH, especially if blood LDH is ≥348.5 U/L, should be closely evaluated and alerted to the possibility of IANE.

Assessment of early factors for identification or prediction severe acute pancreatitis in pregnancy

BACKGROUND Acute pancreatitis in pregnancy(APIP)is a rare and serious condition,and severe APIP(SAPIP)can lead to pancreatic necrosis,abscess,multiple organ dysfunction,and other adverse maternal and infant outcomes.Therefore,early identification or prediction of SAPIP is important.AIM To assess factors for early identification or prediction of SAPIP.METHODS The clinical data of patients with APIP were retrospectively analyzed.Patients were classified with mild acute pancreatitis or severe acute pancreatitis,and the clinical characteristics and laboratory biochemical indexes were compared between the two groups.Logical regression and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were performed to assess the efficacy of the factors for identification or prediction of SAPIP.RESULTS A total of 45 APIP patients were enrolled.Compared with the mild acute pancreatitis group,the severe acute pancreatitis group had significantly increased(P<0.01)heart rate(HR),hemoglobin,neutrophil ratio(NEUT%),and neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio(NLR),while lymphocytes were significantly decreased(P<0.01).Logical regression analysis showed that HR,NEUT%,NLR,and lymphocyte count differed significantly(P<0.01)between the groups.These may be factors for early identification or prediction of SAPIP.The area under the curve of HR,NEUT%,NLR,and lymphocyte count in the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was 0.748,0.732,0.821,and 0.774,respectively.The combined analysis showed that the area under the curve,sensitivity,and specificity were 0.869,90.5%,and 70.8%,respectively.CONCLUSION HR,NEUT%,NLR,and lymphocyte count can be used for early identification or prediction of SAPIP,and the combination of the four factors is expected to improve identification or prediction of SAPIP.