Çocuklarda İnfluenza A ve B Enfeksiyonlarının Klinik ve Laboratuvar Özelliklerinin Karşılaştırılması

Abstract

In this study, we aimed to compare the clinical and laboratory findings of Influenza A and Influenza B infections in children. Methods: The study included 1826 pediatric patients (aged <16 years) who were diagnosed with Influenza A (n=1400) and B (n=426) infections between 1 October 2019 and 30 April 2020. The patients were also divided into age groups: the age groups of 0-2 years, 3-9 years, and 10-16 years. The characteristic clinical and laboratory findings were compared. Results: Influenza A infection was significantly more common in patients aged <2 years and was significantly less common in patients aged 3-9 years. Body temperature was significantly higher in all age groups with Influenza A infection than in children with Influenza B infection. While leukocytosis and lymphopenia were significantly more common in the Influenza A group, leukopenia and neutropenia were significantly more common in the Influenza B group. While acute otitis media was more common in Influenza A infection, myositis was more common in Influenza B infection. No significant difference was found between the Influenza A and B groups in terms of hospitalization rates. Of all patients, 98.3% were treated with oseltamivir. Conclusion:Our findings indicate that Influenza A and B infections are, in general, very similar in terms of symptoms. However, Influenza A infection is more common in very young children. It progresses with higher fever and is more frequently associated with pharyngeal hyperemia and acute otitis media, while leukopenia, neutropenia, conjunctivitis, nasal discharge, and myositis were found to be more common in Influenza B infection.