Clinical features of hospitalised children with 2009 H1N1 influenza virus infection

Eur J Pediatr. 2010 Dec;169(12):1511-5. doi: 10.1007/s00431-010-1255-y. Epub 2010 Jul 22.

Abstract

Clinical features and outcome of 2009 H1N1 influenza virus in the paediatric setting is ill-defined. The epidemiologic and clinical features of children with confirmed H1N1 influenza virus infection admitted to an Italian tertiary paediatric hospital from August through December 2009 were evaluated. A total of 63 children (mean age 4.3 years) were studied; of these, 29 (46%) had chronic underlying diseases. The most frequent symptoms and signs at admission were fever (97%), cough (60%) and respiratory disturbances (24%). Forty patients (63.5%) had H1N1-related complications: 32 (51%) pulmonary diseases, three (5%) neurological disorders, such as acute encephalitis or acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, and two (3%) haematological alterations. Three patients were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. Most children (81%) were treated with oseltamivir: one developed rash during treatment; no other adverse events were noticed. All children survived without sequelae. In conclusions, 2009 H1N1 influenza virus infection in children is associated with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. Neurological disorders are not exceptional complications. Oseltamivir therapy seems safe also in infants.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Antiviral Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Child
  • Child, Hospitalized
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cough / epidemiology
  • Cough / virology
  • Female
  • Fever / epidemiology
  • Fever / virology
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / drug effects*
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / isolation & purification
  • Influenza, Human / complications
  • Influenza, Human / drug therapy
  • Influenza, Human / physiopathology*
  • Influenza, Human / virology*
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Lung Diseases / epidemiology
  • Lung Diseases / virology
  • Male
  • Medical Records
  • Nervous System Diseases / epidemiology
  • Nervous System Diseases / virology
  • Oseltamivir / administration & dosage
  • Oseltamivir / therapeutic use*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Oseltamivir