Increased incidence of pediatric narcolepsy following the 2009 H1N1 pandemic: a report from the pediatric working group of the sleep research network.

This study was aimed to evaluate the yearly incidence of pediatric narcolepsy prior to and following the 2009 H1N1 pandemic and to evaluate seasonal patterns of narcolepsy onset and associations with H1N1 influenza infection in the United States. This was a multicenter retrospective study with prospective follow-up. Participants were recruited from members of the Pediatric Working Group of the Sleep Research Network including 22 sites across the United States. The main outcomes were monthly and yearly incident cases of childhood narcolepsy in the United States, and its relationship to historical H1N1 influenza data. A total of 950 participants were included in the analysis; 487 participants were male (51.3%). The mean age at onset of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) was 9.6  ±â€… 3.9 years. Significant trend changes in pediatric narcolepsy incidence based on EDS onset (p  <  .0001) occurred over the 1998-2016 period, peaking in 2010, reflecting a 1.6-fold increase in narcolepsy incidence. In addition, there was significant seasonal variation in narcolepsy incident cases, with increased cases in spring (p  <  .05). Cross-correlation analysis demonstrated a significant correlation between monthly H1N1 infection and monthly narcolepsy incident cases (p  =  .397, p  <  .0001) with a lag time of 8 months. We conclude that there is a significant increase in pediatric narcolepsy incidence after the 2009 H1N1 pandemic in the United States. However, the magnitude of increase is lower than reported in European countries and in China. The temporal correlation between monthly H1N1 infection and monthly narcolepsy incidence, suggests that H1N1 infection may be a contributing factor to the increased pediatric narcolepsy incidence after the 2009 H1N1 pandemics.

Cranberry use among pediatric nephrology patients.

INTRODUCTION: Recurrent urinary tract infections are common in children, and the use of complementary therapies is common in other children with recurrent illnesses. However, little is known about the use of cranberry products by children with renal disease. We hypothesized that, because cranberry is often used to prevent urinary tract infections (UTI) in adult women, many parents would give it to their children, particularly to children prone to recurrent UTI (rUTI). METHODS: Anonymous, cross-sectional, self-administered survey of parents of children seen in the pediatric nephrology clinic at Brenner Children's Hospital between June 1, 2004, and August 13, 2004. RESULTS: Of the 117 parents surveyed, the patients' average age was 10.3 years, and 15% reported rUTI as a problem. Overall, 29% of surveyed parents gave cranberry products therapeutically; as expected, use was higher among those with rUTI (65%) than among those with other renal conditions (23%); odds ratio = 6.1 (2.0, 18.4, P < .001); many parents gave cranberry to treat as well as prevent diverse renal problems. Most felt it was beneficial and only 1 parent reported a side effect (nausea). Only 23% of those who used it had discussed cranberry use with their physician. CONCLUSION: Cranberry is commonly used therapeutically among patients seen in a pediatric nephrology clinic and is perceived as useful by parents, though uncommonly discussed with physicians. Randomized controlled trials are needed to determine the effectiveness of cranberry juice therapy for rUTI in children.