Cytokines in Influenza in Children (Literature Review)

This review was compiled using data from the search engines PubMed, eLIBRARY.RU, and GoogleScholar. The search was performed using the keywords “influenza,” “cytokines,” and “children.” The article highlights the participation of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the pathogenesis of influenza, compares the cytokine profile in different strains of the virus with concomitant pathology, and makes an attempt to find an answer to the question, “Why are young children more susceptible to this infection?” Information is presented on the creation of express systems for diagnosing cytokine storm in patients with influenza and other acute respiratory viral infections, taking into account a complex of clinical and laboratory data that come to the aid of a practicing physician. It should be noted that there are different opinions among authors regarding the early markers of severe and complicated influenza in childhood. This makes the topic of studying the significance of cytokines in influenza in children relevant, but in need of continuation and clarification of knowledge on this issue.