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2009 influenza A in infants hospitalized at younger than 6 months
Eduardo Lopez-Medina1, Monica I Ardura, Jane D Siegel
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 95390-9063, USA.
Insights
Infants under six months hospitalized with 2009 influenza A often had fever and respiratory symptoms. While most recovered quickly, some experienced severe complications, including death, highlighting the need for flu prevention.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Virology
Background:
- Influenza A poses a significant risk to infants.
- The 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic highlighted the vulnerability of young children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail the clinical features and outcomes of infants under six months hospitalized with 2009 influenza A.
- To assess the complications and treatment responses in this pediatric population.
Main Methods:
- Prospective laboratory surveillance and retrospective chart review identified infants.
- Data collected included clinical characteristics, hospital course, and outcomes.
Main Results:
- 73 infants (<6 months) were hospitalized with confirmed influenza A.
- Common symptoms included fever and respiratory distress; 27% had complications (hypoxia, pneumonia, death).
- Most received oseltamivir, with good tolerance and short median hospital stays (2 days).
Conclusions:
- Community-acquired 2009 influenza A in young infants typically resulted in short hospitalizations and favorable short-term outcomes.
- However, severe complications, including fatalities, underscore the importance of influenza prevention strategies for infants.
Objective:
To describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of infants hospitalized at <6 months of age with 2009 influenza A infection.
Study Design:
Prospective laboratory surveillance and discharge International Classification of Disease, 9th edition codes for influenza infection were used to identify all infants hospitalized at <6 months of age with positive influenza A tests at Children's Medical Center Dallas from April 27, 2009 to March 23, 2010. Retrospective chart review then was performed.
Results:
Seventy-three infants aged <6 months were hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza A infection at a median age of 48 days (range, 3-179 days). The most common clinical characteristics were fever and respiratory signs, and 53% were given a bolus of intravenous fluid. Median length of hospitalization was 2 days (range, 1-162 days). Twenty (27%) infants developed influenza-related complications, including pneumonia (n = 3), hypoxia (n = 18), seizures (n = 2), need for intensive care (n = 8), or death (n = 2). Oseltamivir was administered to 60 (82%) infants and was well tolerated.
Conclusions:
The majority of infants hospitalized with 2009 influenza A had community-acquired infection that was associated with short hospital stays and favorable short-term outcomes. Complications including death occurred, emphasizing the need for preventive strategies.
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