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Updated: Aug 23, 2026
High-throughput Detection Method for Influenza Virus
Published on: February 4, 2012
[Influenza in pediatric intensive cure unit]
1Service de réanimation pédiatrique polyvalente, hôpital Edouard-Herriot, Lyon, France. sylvie.platon@chu-lyon.fr
Insights
Severe influenza in children is rare but can be life-threatening, especially in immunocompromised youth. Early identification of clinical presentations and risk factors is crucial for prevention and improved outcomes in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs).
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.
Objectives:
The purpose was to identify clinical presentation leading to admission to PICU of children affected by influenza, to describe predisposing factors and outcome and to propose preventive measures.
Methods:
Ten years (1989-1999) retrospective study carried out in the ten beds PICU. Every child in PICU with an influenza positive culture was enrolled.
Results:
Twenty four cases collected, aged two weeks-15 years (m =43 months), 19 males. Acute respiratory failure (16/24 =67%) was the first manifestation: pneumonia (13), bronchiolitis (2), status asthmaticus (1). Eleven children had underlying diseases including five immunocompromized. Thirteen patients required mechanical ventilation (mean duration: 22 days), seven developed ARDS (4 immunocompromized) and three died. Central nervous system was the second system affected (8 cases). Four exhibited a chronical cerebral disease and five presented afebrile status epilepticus which required i.v. barbiturates and mechanical ventilation (mean duration: 22 hours). One presented encephalitis, one an apparent life-threatening event, both had a favorable outcome. One child exhibited severe hyperpyrexia and died from multiorgan failure.
Conclusion:
Severe forms of influenza are rare in children but may lead to life-threatening conditions and death(16.5%). Most occur in children with underlying disease, particularly immunocompromized who may exhibit ARDS.
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