Clinical Analysis of Neonatal Influenza in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Retrospective Study

To describe the clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of neonatal influenza.

Retrospectively analyzed clinical data on 26 neonates who were diagnosed with neonatal influenza by positive influenza nasopharyngeal swab antigen tests, and admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Sichuan Province Chengdu Integrated TCM & Western Medicine Hospital in China, between January 2022 to December 2023.

Twenty-six neonates were admitted, 25 with influenza A, whereas 1 co-infected influenza A and B. Nine patients had close contact with family members showing respiratory symptoms prior to hospitalization. Common symptoms included fever (53.85%), nasal congestion (46.15%), cough, neonatal jaundice, and loss of appetite. The most frequent laboratory abnormalities were elevated CK-MB (92.3%), lactic acid (80.77%), prominent lymphocytosis in both count and percentage, elevated monocyte percentage and AST. All patients treated with oseltamivir and recovered.

In this single-year study, influenza A was the predominant type identified. The clinical symptoms are non-specific, and main symptom is fever 14/26 (53.85%). Treatment with oseltamivir is safe and had favorable outcomes.