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Influenza-related hospitalisations in children
Karen L Kwong1, David Lung, Sik Nin Wong
1Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Tuen Mun Hospital, Hong Kong, China. karenkwong@graduate.hku.hk
Insights
Influenza hospitalizations significantly burden healthcare, particularly in children under five. Prevention strategies are crucial to reduce illness and death, especially in this vulnerable group.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Influenza poses a significant health burden, especially in pediatric populations.
- Understanding the clinical patterns and outcomes of influenza hospitalizations is vital for public health planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the disease burden, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of children hospitalized due to influenza.
- To identify risk factors and complications associated with pediatric influenza hospitalizations.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of children hospitalized with confirmed influenza infection in a Hong Kong regional hospital (January-June 2005).
- Analysis of demographic data, clinical presentation, length of hospitalization, diagnoses, and complications.
Main Results:
- Influenza A was the predominant cause (93.5%), with 70% of hospitalizations in children under five.
- Fever was the most common symptom; respiratory tract diseases were frequent diagnoses.
- Febrile convulsions occurred in 27.6%, and one case of acute necrotizing encephalopathy resulted in death.
Conclusions:
- Influenza contributes to a substantial healthcare burden in children, impacting both healthy individuals and those with chronic conditions.
- Young children are disproportionately affected, highlighting the need for targeted prevention.
- While rare, mortality can occur, emphasizing the importance of developing strategies to prevent influenza-associated morbidity and mortality.
Aim:
To describe the disease burden, clinical pattern and outcome of influenza-related hospitalisations in children.
Methods:
This is a retrospective study carried out in a regional hospital in Hong Kong. Children hospitalised with established diagnosis of influenza infection from January to June of 2005 were studied. Length of hospitalisation, demographic characteristics, symptoms, clinical diagnosis and complications of influenza infection were analysed.
Results:
Influenza A infection accounted for 93.5% of these hospitalisations. Children less than 5 years of age comprised 70% of admission. Highest rate of admission occurred in May and April. One fourth of emergency admission during the study period and over 70% in the peak season was a result of influenza-related illness. Underlying medical disease was observed in 14.6% of children. Mean duration of hospitalisation was 3.0 days. Fever was the commonest presenting symptoms. Fever lasting for 7 days or more was observed in one-fifth of patients. Respiratory tract diseases (upper and lower) were the most frequent non-neurological diagnosis. Febrile convulsion was the complication observed in 27.6% of admission. One patient died as a result of acute necrotising encephalopathy.
Conclusion:
Influenza contributed to heavy health-care burden. Mortality was rare but did occur. Hospitalisations occurred in both healthy children and those with underlying chronic illness. Young children played an important role in such hospitalisations. Means to prevent influenza-associated morbidity and mortality especially among young children are needed.
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