Data detailed in 'Children hospitalized with 2009 novel influenza A(H1N1) in California' have been presented. According to a study from the United States, 'To describe clinical and epidemiologic features of 2009 novel influenza A(H1N1) in children. Analysis of data obtained from standardized report forms and medical records.'
'Statewide public health surveillance in California. Three hundred forty-five children who were hospitalized with or died of 2009 novel influenza A(H1N1). Laboratory-confirmed 2009 novel influenza A(H1N1). Hospitalization and death. From April 23 to August 11, 2009, 345 cases in children younger than 18 years were reported. The median age was 6 years. The hospitalization rate per 100 000 per 110 days was 3.5 (0.97 per 100 000 person-months), with rates highest in infants younger than 6 months (13.9 per 100 000 or 3.86 per 100 000 person-months). Two-thirds (230; 67%) had comorbidities. More than half (163 of 278; 59%) had pneumonia, 94 (27%) required intensive care, and 9 (3%) died; in 3 fatal cases (33%), children had secondary bacterial infections. More than two-thirds (221 of 319; 69%) received antiviral treatment, 44% (88 of 202) within 48 hours of symptom onset. In multivariate analysis, congenital heart disease (odds ratio [OR], 5.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.9-13.5) and cerebral palsy/developmental delay (OR, 3.5; 95% CI, 1.7-7.4) were associated with increased likelihood of intensive care unit admission and/or death; likelihood was decreased in Hispanic (OR, 0.4; 95% CI, 0.2-0.8) and black (OR, 0.3; 95% CI, 0.1-1.0) children compared with white children. More than one-quarter of children hospitalized with 2009 novel influenza A(H1N1) reported to the California Department of Public Health required intensive care and/or died,' wrote J.K. Louie and colleagues.
The researchers concluded: 'Regardless of rapid test results, when 2009 novel influenza A(H1N1) is circulating, clinicians should maintain a high suspicion in children with febrile respiratory illness and promptly treat those with underlying risk factors, especially infants.'
Louie and colleagues published their study in Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine (Children hospitalized with 2009 novel influenza A(H1N1) in California. Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 2010;164(11):1023-31).
For more information, contact J.K. Louie, 850 Marina Bay Pkwy, California Dept. of Public Health, Richmond, CA 94804 USA.
Keywords: City:Richmond, State:CA, Country:United States, H1N1 Subtype Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Virus, Infectious Disease, Influenza A Virus, Subtype H1N1, Influenza A virus, Orthomyxoviridae, Pediatrics, Public Health, RNA Viruses, Swine Flu, Swine Influenza, Vertebrate Viruses.
This article was prepared by Pediatrics Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2010, Pediatrics Week via NewsRx.com.
