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Risk factors and disease severity in Australian infants aged under 6 months hospitalised with influenza 2011-2019

Jocelynne E McRae1,2, Christopher C Blyth3,4,5,6, Allen C Cheng7,8

  • 1National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, Kids Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health
|December 20, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Young infants under six months are at high risk for severe influenza. Factors like prematurity and comorbidities increase the likelihood of intensive care unit admission, highlighting the need for infant influenza prevention strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Infants under six months are highly susceptible to severe influenza.
  • Currently, no influenza vaccine is approved for infants younger than six months.
  • This age group requires specific attention due to their vulnerability.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the epidemiology of influenza in Australian infants under six months.
  • To identify risk factors associated with severe influenza outcomes in this population.
  • To analyze the management and treatment of influenza in infants under six months.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized national active prospective sentinel hospital-based surveillance systems in Australia (2011-2019).
  • Collected data on demographic and clinical features, risk factors, and outcomes (ICU admission, length of stay).
  • Analyzed oseltamivir use and reported on the proportion of infant influenza hospitalizations and nosocomial cases.

Main Results:

  • Of 680 hospitalized infants, 14.7% were admitted to the ICU.
  • Risk factors for ICU admission included age under one month, comorbidities, and prematurity.
  • Influenza A was predominant (77.9%), and 7.8% of cases were nosocomial.

Conclusions:

  • Infants under six months, especially neonates, face significant risks from influenza.
  • The findings support the need for preventative measures like maternal immunization.
  • Further research into safe and effective infant vaccination before six months is crucial.
Abstract

Keywords:
Australiainfantinfectious diseaseinfluenzaoseltamivirpaediatric

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