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Influenza A associated morbidity and mortality in a Paediatric Intensive Care Unit

Bronwyn G Milne1, Stephen Williams, Meryta L A May

  • 1Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, New South Wales. bronwym2@chw.edu.au

Communicable Diseases Intelligence Quarterly Report
|March 5, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Influenza A virus caused severe illness and deaths in children admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Most children affected were not recommended for annual flu vaccination, highlighting a critical public health gap.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Intensive Care
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Virology

Background:

  • Influenza A virus infection can lead to severe outcomes in children.
  • Paediatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs) manage critically ill pediatric patients.
  • The 2003 influenza season saw an increase in severe pediatric influenza cases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report the clinical features and outcomes of children with laboratory-proven influenza A virus infection admitted to a PICU in 2003.
  • To compare the severity and mortality of influenza A infections in 2003 with previous years.
  • To assess the vaccination status of pediatric influenza patients.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of pediatric patients admitted to a major PICU in 2003.
  • Laboratory confirmation of influenza A virus infection.
  • Analysis of clinical features, including encephalopathy and mortality.
  • Comparison with historical data from the preceding 15 years.

Main Results:

  • Twenty-two children with influenza A virus infection (A/Fujian/411/2002-like type) were admitted.
  • Eight patients (36%) presented with encephalopathy.
  • Three patients (14%) died, a higher mortality rate compared to previous years.
  • Four patients (18%) met criteria for influenza vaccination but were unvaccinated.

Conclusions:

  • Influenza A virus infection caused significant morbidity and mortality in young children during the 2003 season.
  • A notable proportion of severe cases occurred in unvaccinated children not typically recommended for vaccination.
  • Findings underscore the need to reconsider influenza vaccination strategies for pediatric populations at high risk for severe outcomes.

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