Clinical Profile and Outcome of Admitted Pediatric Patients with Influenza

Abstract

Background: Influenza is one of the most common illnesses pediatricians face. Children are especially at risk for contracting influenza. Aside from fever, cough and colds, the disease may present differently in children. Complications due to influenza are varied and anti-virals may be useful if given early in the course of illness. Objectives: To determine the clinical profile of admitted pediatric patients with influenza based on rapid testing and determine its prevalence, outcome and complications. Methods: Cross sectional study of pediatric patients who had nasopharyngeal swab for influenza by antigen rapid detection test were included. Retrospective chart review was done on patients with influenza-like illness admitted from 2013-2019. Results: There were 244 patient charts reviewed, the mean age of patients was 5 – 9 years old and majority had no influenza vaccine during the year of admission. Patients presented with fever, cough, colds and non-specific symptoms. Ear pain, difficulty of breathing and myalgia were found to be associated with a positive influenza infection. Of the 244 suspected patients, 133 (54%) were positive for influenza rapid testing, 33% were influenza B positive and 21.3 % were influenza A positive. The most common clinical complication for influenza positive patients was pneumonia. 1 patient had respiratory failure, 5 had febrile convulsions and 7 developed viral myositis. 19% of the subjects had asthma as co-morbidity. Only 11% of the population had their annual influenza vaccine. Conclusion: 54% of pediatric patients tested for influenza had positive tests for either Influenza A or B. Although generally a mild illness, it contributes to morbidity and mortality in children. Complications are not uncommon in the pediatric population as seen in this study. Vaccination remains an important preventive measure to curb influenza cases.

Effects of Rapid Influenza Antigen Test on Antimicrobial Management of Pediatric Patients with Influenza-Like Illness in the Emergency Room

“…2 The demographic data presented in this study varies from what was presented by Reyes et al where majority of children with ILI were females with a mean age of 5-9 years old. Our findings of fever, cough, and colds were the most common presenting manifestation in patients with ILI in the pediatric population and were congruent with those of Reyes et al 15 Our study also showed that loose bowel movement, vomiting, and seizures were commonly manifested by the younger age group which suggest that influenza may be less distinct in younger children. 2,16 Non-specific symptoms such as chills, body malaise, sore throat, ear pain, abdominal pain, headache, and anorexia were prominent in the older age group and are also consistent with the clinical manifestations of influenza infection.…”

“…Lack of vaccine coverage can be due to geographical factors, financial constraints, personal belief and lack of education on vaccination. 15 Our findings also indicate that there is no relation in symptoms of pediatric patients with ILI with vaccination history (p value = 0.970). One hundred percent of vaccinated and unvaccinated children experienced fever.…”

Rapid Detection of Respiratory Pathogens Using a Multiplex PCR Assay Among Hospitalized Children with Acute Respiratory Infection

“…Rapid diagnosis of influenza viruses and early treatment with oseltamivir is crucial. 28 Therefore, influenza rapid testing may be done instead for Respiratory Panel in detecting Influenza virus. It is a highly sensitive and specific test and relatively cheaper than the Respiratory Panel.…”