A recent study in Neurology concluded that children with a severe form of epilepsy should take the flu vaccine due to the increased risk of seizures brought on by an influenza infection.

The most common severe form of genetic epilepsy, SCN1A-positive Dravet syndrome, affects one in every 15,000 kids. After getting the flu, there has been evidence of a risk of developing severe neurological symptoms and complications, including increased seizures, deteriorating language and movement skills, and even death.

It is currently advised and a common practice to use extra anti-seizure drugs, such as benzodiazepines, throughout the post-vaccination interval to lessen the risk of seizures. According to experts, immunization providers should check the child′s usual anti-seizure drugs and ensure a seizure management strategy in place before administering the influenza vaccine.

Children with SCN1A-positive Dravet syndrome who had a confirmed flu infection were included in the study. Researchers found that 21 children got the flu 24 times, with brain abnormalities developing in 88% of those cases.

The researchers conclude that this severe form of epilepsy is also connected with a significant risk of seizures during illnesses; thus it is imperative to protect the patients from the side effects of infections like the flu that can be prevented by vaccination. The study also shows that the advantages of receiving a flu vaccine for these kids exceed the risks of developing seizures after receiving it.

(Source: https://theprint.in/health/research-children-with-severe-form-of-epilepsy-should-receive-flu-vaccine/1218511/)