Girl, 4, Hospitalized with Rare Brain Condition Linked to the Flu: ‘It Came Out of Nowhere,’ Says Mom

A 4-year-old girl in Massachusetts is recovering in the hospital after doctors diagnosed her with a rare, life-threatening condition associated with the flu.

In December, Althea’s symptoms escalated quickly — starting with a fever, then dizziness, and eventually a seizure — according to WHDH 7News. After she was taken to Mass General Hospital, doctors diagnosed her with Acute Necrotizing Encephalopathy, a rare complication that can occur with influenza and causes severe brain swelling.

“It was very clear that something was not right and even though she was having a seizure, she was very sleepy from the inflammation,” Althea’s mother, Caitlin Lyons, told the outlet. “If she’d not been so sleepy, I would have even skipped the pediatrician but gone right to the emergency room.”

Althea was treated in the ICU, where doctors warned her family the situation was critical — and raised concerns about whether she would survive.

“It came out of nowhere. Quite literally healthy one day and on death’s door the next. We could never have done anything to prevent [it],” Lyons told WHDH 7News.

At the same time, the flu was spreading rapidly through Althea’s daycare in Framingham. The daycare’s director, Carol Ann Ritter, told CBS News there were roughly 15 to 20 cases among children and staff.

“We were sending children home with one symptom that could have been nothing but ended up being the flu,” Ritter said. “So just kind of going with the teacher’s instinct of being like, ‘OK, we’re being overly cautious and I’m so sorry, I know you need to send your child to care, but at this point, children are dying from this.’ “

Ritter also shared that Althea remained hospitalized over Christmas in an update posted on a GoFundMe created to support the family.

“We are coming together as a school community to support one of our families during an unimaginable time,” Ritter wrote on the fundraiser. “Their 4-year-old daughter recently contracted Flu A, and in a devastating turn of events, instead of her body fighting the virus, it attacked her brain.”

She added, “What began as the flu quickly became life-threatening. Her family spent nearly two weeks in the ICU …. not knowing what the outcome would be for their child.”

The fundraiser has raised more than $12,000 toward a $14,000 goal to help cover medical costs, specialized therapies, and rehabilitation services.

Doctors reportedly told the family that only about 10% of children survive Acute Necrotizing Encephalopathy, according to WHDH 7News. Lyons believes a flu vaccination may have played a role in saving her daughter’s life.

“It was just luck, and medical intervention, and acting quickly. It’s a miracle that she’s here with us and doing as well as she is,” Lyons said.

She added that Althea is still regaining strength. “She’s not totally there yet, her fine motor skills have deteriorated and she’s got a bit of a shake right now, that is something we’ve been told should correct itself over time.”

Althea is expected to make a full recovery within three to six months, WHDH 7News reported.