H1N1 infection in children with hematological malignancies

In the recent pandemic of H1N1 infection, pediatric patients with haematological malignancies were considered high risk for severe illness. There is paucity of data regarding course of H1N1 infection in this subgroup. We describe H1N1 infection in 3 children with acute leukemia. All three patients presented with neutropenic fever; 2 had probable fungal pneumonia based on chest imaging and galactomanan estimation. Diagnosis of H1N1 infection was delayed in all 3 patients as it was not suspected initially. One patient died despite treatment. H1NI infection may coexist with other infections in febrile neutropenia.