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Updated: Dec 28, 2025
Rapid Molecular Detection and Differentiation of Influenza Viruses A and B
Published on: January 30, 2017
[Clinical features of influenza with plastic bronchitis in children]
Qin Yang1, Yan-Min Bao, Qiu-Wei Yi
1Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518026, China. baoyanming1978@163.com.
Insights
Influenza in children can cause plastic bronchitis (PB), a serious condition. Early bronchoscopy and considering PB in children with shortness of breath or asthma are crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Respiratory Medicine
- Critical Care
Background:
- Plastic bronchitis (PB) is a rare but severe airway obstruction condition.
- Influenza virus infections are common in children and can lead to various respiratory complications.
- The association between influenza and PB in pediatric populations requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the clinical characteristics of pediatric influenza cases complicated by plastic bronchitis (PB).
- To enhance diagnostic and therapeutic awareness for influenza-induced PB in children.
- To identify key clinical indicators associated with PB in children with influenza.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of clinical data from 70 pediatric patients with lower respiratory influenza virus infection.
- Comparison of clinical features, laboratory findings, imaging, and outcomes between children with and without PB.
- Inclusion criteria: influenza virus infection; exclusion criteria: absence of PB.
Main Results:
- The influenza+PB group (12 children) showed a higher incidence of shortness of breath and allergic diseases (e.g., asthma) compared to the non-PB group (58 children).
- Common manifestations in the influenza+PB group included fever, cough, and shortness of breath; 58% had Influenza A, 42% had Influenza B.
- Imaging revealed pulmonary consolidation, atelectasis, and pleural effusion; PB cases had higher PICU admission rates.
Conclusions:
- Influenza-associated PB in children presents with acute onset and rapid progression.
- Early bronchoscopy is vital for managing influenza-induced PB.
- Consider PB in pediatric influenza patients with shortness of breath, asthma, or nephrotic syndrome.
Objective:
To study the clinical features of influenza with plastic bronchitis (PB) in children, and to improve the awareness of the diagnosis and treatment of PB caused by influenza virus.
Methods:
A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 70 children with lower respiratory influenza virus infection from October 2018 to October 2019. According to the presence or absence of PB, they were divided into an influenza+PB group with 12 children and a non-PB influenza group with 58 children. Related clinical data were collected for the retrospective analysis, including general information, clinical manifestations, laboratory examination, imaging findings, treatment, and prognosis.
Results:
In the influenza+PB group, most children experienced disease onset at the age of 1-5 years, with the peak months of January, February, July, and September. Major clinical manifestations in the influenza+PB group included fever, cough, and shortness of breath. The influenza+PB group had significantly higher incidence rates of shortness of breath and allergic diseases such as asthma than the non-PB influenza group (P<0.05). Of the 12 children in the influenza+PB group, 7(58%) had influenza A virus infection and 5 (42%) had influenza B virus infection, among whom 1 had nephrotic syndrome. For the children in the influenza+PB group, major imaging findings included pulmonary consolidation with atelectasis, high-density infiltration, pleural effusion, and mediastinal emphysema. Compared with the non-PB influenza group, the influenza+PB group had a significantly higher proportion of children who were admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (P<0.05). Bronchoscopic lavage was performed within 1 week after admission, and all children were improved and discharged after anti-infective therapy and symptomatic/supportive treatment.
Conclusions:
Influenza with PB tends to have acute onset and rapid progression, and it is important to perform bronchoscopy as early as possible. The possibility of PB should be considered when the presence of shortness of breath, allergic diseases such as asthma or nephrotic syndrome in children with influenza.
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