Impact of Influenza Virus Infection as a Cause of Pediatric Hospitalization

Abstract

From winter 1989 to spring 1990, a severe epidemic caused by influenza A (H3N2) and B viruses developed in Japan. During the epidemic (December 1989 to February 1990), 244 children were admitted to the pediatric ward of Nippon Kokan Hospital: 53 (21.7%) were hospitalized with influenza virus infection, 22 (9.0%) with rotavirus gastroenteritis, and 17 (7.0%) with respiratory syncytial virus infection. Among those with influenza, 24 had type A and 29 had type B. Most were young healthy children without underlying illnesses (mean age, 4.8 +/- 3.4 years). The impact of the influenza epidemic on pediatric hospitalization is probably much greater than generally thought when a severe epidemic occurs.

Clinical characteristics of patients hospitalized with severe respiratory illness during influenza seasons in the cities of Bogota and Manizales, Colombia 2000-2006

“…There was a signifi cant frequency regarding children having underlying diseases (26.5 %) which also came within the limits reported by other studies (8 % to 40 %) (23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34). However, a signifi cant percentage of these diseases (59 %) was not considered high risk by ACIN for complications from infl uenza.…”

Influenza A Infection Is an Important Cause of Febrile Seizures

“…18,19 The incidence of convulsion associated with influenza A infection had been re- ported to range from 6% to 40%. [12][13][14][15] The large variation in the incidence of febrile seizure associated with influenza A seen in different studies can be partially explained by differences in age. 15 In other studies, the patient population was heavily skewed in favor of those with severe complications, including convulsions.…”

“…[12][13][14][15] The large variation in the incidence of febrile seizure associated with influenza A seen in different studies can be partially explained by differences in age. 15 In other studies, the patient population was heavily skewed in favor of those with severe complications, including convulsions. Thirty-one of 61 children admitted during an epidemic in Newcastle on Tyne were admitted because of convulsion.…”

“…Some reports have included children with underlying causes for seizures, and their relevance to the pathogenesis of febrile seizures is limited. [12][13][14][15] In 1998, a new influenza A antigenic variant, the H3N2 Sydney virus, appeared in Hong Kong. Some pediatricians had the impression that febrile seizures associated with this new variant were more common that previously seen with influenza A.…”

Long-Acting Neuraminidase Inhibitor Laninamivir Octanoate (CS-8958) versus Oseltamivir as Treatment for Children with Influenza Virus Infection

“…Influenza virus infection is one of the major causes of pediatric hospitalizations in the winter season (15,17), and schoolchildren and children who attend day care centers are the principal transmitters of influenza in the community (13). The purpose of this trial was to compare the efficacy and safety of laninamivir octanoate to those of oseltamivir in children.…”