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Influenza-related hospitalizations in children younger than three years of age
Jaime Cruz Rojo1, Jesús Ruiz-Contreras, María Baro Fernández
1Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain.
Insights
Influenza significantly contributes to hospitalizations in children under three years old, with infants being most affected. Vaccination of high-risk children could prevent many influenza-related hospital admissions.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Influenza poses a significant health risk to young children, necessitating an understanding of its impact on hospitalization rates.
- Clinical presentations and co-existing conditions in pediatric influenza hospitalizations require detailed investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of influenza-related hospitalizations in children under three years of age.
- To describe the clinical manifestations and identify underlying diseases in hospitalized pediatric influenza cases.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective, descriptive study was conducted from 1996 to 2003.
- Data were collected from hospitalized children under three years old with confirmed influenza virus in a tertiary teaching hospital.
- Annual hospitalization rates were calculated per 1000 children in the specified age group.
Main Results:
- 146 children were hospitalized with influenza; nearly two-thirds were one year old or younger.
- Bronchitis/bronchiolitis, pneumonia, fever without source, and suspected sepsis were common diagnoses, accounting for 90% of community-acquired cases.
- 40% of patients had underlying conditions, such as chronic pulmonary or congenital heart disease, with 8.5% requiring intensive care.
Conclusions:
- Influenza is a major cause of hospitalization in young children.
- Targeted influenza vaccination for high-risk pediatric populations can effectively reduce hospitalizations and influenza-related illnesses.
Background:
To determine the rates of influenza-related hospitalization and to know the clinical manifestations and underlying diseases in children younger than 3 years who are hospitalized with influenza.
Methods:
Retrospective, descriptive study (1996-2003), performed in a tertiary teaching hospital in Madrid. Data of hospitalized children, younger than 3 years, with influenza virus isolation from nasal aspirates were collected. Rates of hospitalization for every year were calculated.
Results:
Overall, 146 children hospitalized with influenza were identified: 117 had community-acquired influenza as the only disease, 18 had community-acquired influenza and were coinfected with other pathogens, and 11 had nosocomial infection. Rates of influenza hospitalization for years 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003 were 0.42, 0.11, 1.46, 1.54, 0.53, 0.25, 0.19, and 0.82, respectively, per 1000 children younger than 3 years of age. Children
Conclusions:
Influenza is an important cause of hospitalization in young children. The use of influenza vaccine in high-risk children could prevent hospitalizations and cases of influenza-related diseases.
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