[Influenza in pediatric intensive cure unit].

Area of Science:

• Pediatric critical care medicine
• Infectious diseases
• Respiratory medicine

Context:

• Influenza (flu) can cause severe illness in children, necessitating pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission.
• Understanding the clinical spectrum, predisposing factors, and outcomes of severe pediatric influenza is vital for public health.
• This study retrospectively analyzed influenza cases admitted to a PICU over a decade.

Purpose:

• To identify clinical presentations leading to PICU admission for children with influenza.
• To describe predisposing factors and outcomes in pediatric influenza patients.
• To propose preventive strategies for severe pediatric influenza.

Summary:

• A 10-year retrospective study of 24 pediatric influenza cases admitted to the PICU revealed acute respiratory failure (67%) as the primary manifestation, including pneumonia and bronchiolitis.
• Underlying conditions were present in 11 children, with five being immunocompromised. Mechanical ventilation was required for 13 patients, and seven developed acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
• Central nervous system involvement occurred in 8 cases, including status epilepticus and encephalitis. The overall mortality rate was 16.5%.

Impact:

• Severe influenza poses a significant threat to children, with a notable mortality rate of 16.5%.
• Children with underlying diseases, particularly those who are immunocompromised, are at higher risk for severe outcomes like ARDS.
• Findings underscore the importance of preventive measures and prompt critical care for severe pediatric influenza cases.