Combined therapy with hypothermia and anticytokine agents in influenza A encephalopathy

Two children with influenza A-related encephalopathy were treated with a co mbination of mild hypothermia (deep body temperature of the forehead: 35 de greesC) and anticytokine agents thigh-dose methylprednisolone and ulinastat in), while receiving amantadine. One of the cases exhibited acute necrotizi ng encephalopathy on computed tomography (CT). Although no severe complicat ions occurred, correctable hypokalemia and hyperglycemia occurred in both c ases. Both patients recovered without any neurological sequelae. Our therap eutic protocol appears to be effective for managing influenza A-related enc ephalopathy. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.