Severe Influenza Virus and Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections in Intensive Care Over the Last 15 Years

Influenza virus is a common agent of pediatric infections. Most cases are mild, but severe illness and death can occur. We aimed to analyze severe cases associated the influenza virus and compare it with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

This is a retrospective study of 0-17-year-old patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of Hospital Pediátrico, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra (Pediatric Hospital, Coimbra Hospital and University Center), a tertiary pediatric hospital in Coimbra, Portugal, over the last 15 years (2008-2022) due to influenza virus infection. Clinical presentation, severity, and evolution were analyzed. A comparison of children with RSV infection admitted in the same period was performed.

We identified 47 cases of influenza virus infection (34% coinfection with other viruses), median age of 2.3 years (interquartile range (IQR) 6.1), and 38% had comorbidities. The median admissions were three/year (maximum 11 in 2019). Influenza A was identified in 96%. Ninety-six percent had respiratory symptoms, 38% had neurologic symptoms, and 28% had sepsis. The main reason for admission was respiratory failure (68%). The mean pediatric index of mortality 2 (PIM2) at admission was 9±15.9%. Ventilatory support was necessary in 66%, vasoactive support in 19%, and blood products in 17%. The median length of stay was four days (IQR 5). There were four (8.5%) deaths. During the same study period, there were 171 RSV-related admissions. When comparing influenza (group A, without RSV coinfection) and RSV (group B), the first had a higher PIM2 on admission, greater need of ventilatory support, more complications, and higher mortality (p=0.001).

The number of influenza virus infections admitted to ICU was much lower than RSV. However, influenza was more severe and associated with all deaths registered.