BACKGROUND: Influenza and pneumonia are common childhood illnesses, but few studies have been conducted on influenza-related pneumonia in children. The aim of this study was to describe the frequency and characteristics of laboratory-documented and radiologically detected influenza pneumonia in children. METHODS: This study involved children treated at the Department of Pediatrics, Turku University Hospital, from 1980 through 2003. Influenza A or B infection was documented with the use of antigen detection from nasopharyngeal aspirates. Children with chest radiographs obtained during influenza episodes were identified. Chest radiographs were reevaluated by a pediatric radiologist for verification of pneumonic infiltrates. Clinical and laboratory data were collected from medical records. RESULTS: Pneumonia was detected in 134 (14%) of 936 children with influenza infection. The most frequent signs of influenza pneumonia were fever and cough. Of these children, 47% had no specific clinical signs or symptoms suggesting pneumonia. White blood cell count was <15 x 10/L in 89% and serum C-reactive protein concentration <80 mg/L in 85% of the children. One-half of the children had solely interstitial infiltrates, one-fourth solely alveolar and one- fourth both alveolar and interstitial infiltrates on the chest radiograph. The hospitalization rate was 68%, and the median duration of hospitalization was 2 days. Complicated pneumonias were rare, and mortality was low (0.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Pneumonia is detected in a minority of children treated for influenza at a tertiary center. Unlike in adults, influenza pneumonia in children is usually a benign illness, and the mortality is low.
BACKGROUND: Influenza and pneumonia are common childhood illnesses, but few studies have been conducted on influenza-related pneumonia in children. The aim of this study was to describe the frequency and characteristics of laboratory-documented and radiologically detected influenza pneumonia in children. METHODS: This study involved children treated at the Department of Pediatrics, Turku University Hospital, from 1980 through 2003. Influenza A or B infection was documented with the use of antigen detection from nasopharyngeal aspirates. Children with chest radiographs obtained during influenza episodes were identified. Chest radiographs were reevaluated by a pediatric radiologist for verification of pneumonic infiltrates. Clinical and laboratory data were collected from medical records. RESULTS:Pneumonia was detected in 134 (14%) of 936 children with influenza infection. The most frequent signs of influenza pneumonia were fever and cough. Of these children, 47% had no specific clinical signs or symptoms suggesting pneumonia. White blood cell count was <15 x 10/L in 89% and serum C-reactive protein concentration <80 mg/L in 85% of the children. One-half of the children had solely interstitial infiltrates, one-fourth solely alveolar and one- fourth both alveolar and interstitial infiltrates on the chest radiograph. The hospitalization rate was 68%, and the median duration of hospitalization was 2 days. Complicated pneumonias were rare, and mortality was low (0.7%). CONCLUSIONS:Pneumonia is detected in a minority of children treated for influenza at a tertiary center. Unlike in adults, influenza pneumonia in children is usually a benign illness, and the mortality is low.
Authors: H Silvennoinen; V Peltola; R Vainionpää; O Ruuskanen; T Heikkinen Journal: Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis Date: 2011-06-04 Impact factor: 3.267
Authors: Sara Boccalini; Elena Pariani; Giovanna Elisa Calabrò; Chiara DE Waure; Donatella Panatto; Daniela Amicizia; Piero Luigi Lai; Caterina Rizzo; Emanuele Amodio; Francesco Vitale; Alessandra Casuccio; Maria Luisa DI Pietro; Cristina Galli; Laura Bubba; Laura Pellegrinelli; Leonardo Villani; Floriana D'Ambrosio; Marta Caminiti; Elisa Lorenzini; Paola Fioretti; Rosanna Tindara Micale; Davide Frumento; Elisa Cantova; Flavio Parente; Giacomo Trento; Sara Sottile; Andrea Pugliese; Massimiliano Alberto Biamonte; Duccio Giorgetti; Marco Menicacci; Antonio D'Anna; Claudia Ammoscato; Emanuele LA Gatta; Angela Bechini; Paolo Bonanni Journal: J Prev Med Hyg Date: 2021-09-10
Authors: Jacqueline K Lim; Tae Hee Kim; Paul E Kilgore; Allison E Aiello; Byung Min Choi; Kwang Chul Lee; Kee Hwan Yoo; Young-Hwan Song; Yun-Kyung Kim Journal: J Korean Med Sci Date: 2014-04-01 Impact factor: 2.153