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Children hospitalized with influenza B infection
Insights
An influenza B virus outbreak in Philadelphia disproportionately affected young children, with many having underlying conditions. Early viral respiratory cultures are recommended for hospitalized children with respiratory and underlying diseases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Virology
Background:
- Influenza B virus outbreaks can cause significant pediatric illness.
- Young children, especially those with underlying conditions, are vulnerable to severe influenza complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of influenza B virus infection during an outbreak in young children.
- To highlight the importance of including influenza B in respiratory viral testing for hospitalized children.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 24 pediatric patients admitted to Children's Hospital during an influenza B outbreak.
- Isolation of influenza B virus from respiratory viral cultures.
- Review of clinical findings, including symptoms and presence of underlying diseases.
Main Results:
- Influenza B was isolated from 24 children under 3 years old.
- Common symptoms included fever, rhinorrhea, cough, and otitis.
- 75% of patients had underlying diseases, and 41% developed pneumonia.
- Two deaths occurred due to respiratory failure from severe influenza B infection.
Conclusions:
- Influenza B virus can cause severe illness and mortality in young children, particularly those with underlying health issues.
- Routine viral respiratory cultures, including influenza B, are crucial for hospitalized children with respiratory symptoms and underlying diseases.
Abstract:
An outbreak of influenza virus type B infection occurred in Philadelphia from December, 1985, to April, 1986. During this epidemic 24 patients were admitted to Children's Hospital from whom influenza B was isolated from routine respiratory viral cultures. All were younger than 3 years of age. Clinical findings included fever (greater than or equal to 38 degrees C) (88%), rhinorrhea (62.6%), cough (50%), otitis (50%), rhonchi (42%), vomiting (38%), diarrhea (33%), rales (21%), pharyngitis (13%) and croup (4%). Remarkably 75% of the patients had underlying diseases which may have contributed to the severity of the infection. Nine (41%) patients had pneumonia. Two patients died of respiratory failure caused by overwhelming influenza B virus infection. Patients admitted to the hospital with respiratory and underlying diseases should have viral respiratory cultures which include influenza B.