Korean J Fam Med.  2018 Jan;39(1):37-41. 10.4082/kjfm.2018.39.1.37.

Analysis of Clinical Manifestations and Laboratory Findings in Children with Influenza B-Associated Myositis: A Single Center Study

• Yoon JW
• Choi DY
• Lee SH
• Sin SR
• Yu ST

• KMID: 2401722
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4082/kjfm.2018.39.1.37

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Influenza-associated myositis (IAM) is a rare and poorly recognized complication of influenza infection in children, and is characterized by acute onset of severe pain in the lower extremities and a refusal to ambulate walk. We sought to understand the association between IAM and influenza B infection and to investigate its clinical and laboratory characteristics in affected children.
METHODS
Influenza B-associated myositis (IBAM) cases diagnosed in the pediatrics department of Wonkwang University Hospital from January 2010 and March 2016 were analyzed retrospectively.
RESULTS
Medical records of affected children were examined, and clinical characteristics and laboratory findings were recorded. Of the 536 children diagnosed with influenza B infection, 47 children complained of bilateral calf pain with or without gait disturbance. All children exhibited elevated serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level. The median serum creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, reportedly elevated in myositis, were 2,597 IU/L and 678 IU/L, respectively. While the immunofluorescence test results were negative for some patients, the polymerase chain reaction test results indicated influenza B infection in all 47 children. At the time of hospital discharge, the patients' symptoms had resolved, and their CK levels had improved.
CONCLUSION
IBAM was generally benign and short, and although the blood AST, CK, and LDH levels were markedly high, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein levels were normal. Further, the duration of IBAM symptoms correlated with the duration of fever. The IBAM-associated clinical and laboratory findings are highly characteristic and may allow its rapid diagnosis during the influenza season.

Keyword

Child; Influenza B Virus; Myositis; Myalgia

MeSH Terms

Aspartate Aminotransferases
Blood Sedimentation
C-Reactive Protein
Child*
Creatine Kinase
Diagnosis
Fever
Fluorescent Antibody Technique
Gait
Humans
Influenza B virus
Influenza, Human*
L-Lactate Dehydrogenase
Lower Extremity
Medical Records
Myalgia
Myositis*
Pediatrics
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Retrospective Studies
Seasons
Aspartate Aminotransferases
C-Reactive Protein
Creatine Kinase
L-Lactate Dehydrogenase