Javier Arístegui Fernández1, Eduardo González Pérez-Yarza2, María José Mellado Peña3, Carlos Rodrigo Gonzalo de Liria4, Teresa Hernández Sampelayo5, Juan José García García6, Jesús Ruiz Contreras7, David Moreno Pérez8, Elisa Garrote Llanos9, José Tomás Ramos Amador10, Carlos Gustavo Cilla Eguiluz11, María Méndez Hernández12. 1. Sección de Infectología Pediátrica, Hospital Universitario Basurto, Bilbao, Vizcaya, España; Departamento de Pediatría, Universidad del País Vasco, UPV/EHU, Bilbao, Vizcaya, España. Electronic address: javier.aristegui@ehu.eus. 2. Departamento de Pediatría, Universidad del País Vasco, UPV/EHU, Bilbao, Vizcaya, España; Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital Universitario Donostia, San Sebastián, Guipúzcoa, España; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), San Sebastián, Guipúzcoa, España. 3. Servicio de Pediatría Hospitalaria, Enfermedades Infecciosas y Tropicales, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, España. 4. Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, España; Facultad de Medicina, Unidad Docente Germans Trias i Pujol, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, España. 5. Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, España. 6. Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, España. 7. Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, España. 8. Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, Málaga, España. 9. Sección de Infectología Pediátrica, Hospital Universitario Basurto, Bilbao, Vizcaya, España; Departamento de Pediatría, Universidad del País Vasco, UPV/EHU, Bilbao, Vizcaya, España. 10. Departamento de Salud Pública y Materno-infantil, Universidad Complutense, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, España. 11. Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), San Sebastián, Guipúzcoa, España; Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario Donostia, San Sebastián, Guipúzcoa, España. 12. Facultad de Medicina, Unidad Docente Germans Trias i Pujol, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, España; Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital Universitario Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Barcelona, España.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: There are only a limited number of studies on the impact of influenza in the Spanish child population. The present work intends to increase this knowledge by studying some key aspects, such as the incidence of hospital admissions, clinic variables, comorbidities, and the vaccination status in the hospitalised children. METHODS: A retrospective, observational study was conducted by reviewing the medical records of children under 15 years and hospitalised due to community acquired influenza confirmed microbiologically, during 2́flu seasons (2014-2015 and 2015-2016). The study was carried out in 10 hospitals of 6cities, which represent approximately 12% of the Spanish child population. RESULTS: A total of 907 children were admitted to hospital with main diagnosis of influenza infection (447 <2 years), estimating an average annual rate of hospitalisation incidence of 0.51 cases / 1,000 children (95% CI; 0.48-0.55). Just under half (45%) of the cases had an underlying disease considered a risk factor for severe influenza, and most (74%) had not been vaccinated. The percentage of children with underlying diseases increased with age, from 26% in children <6 months to 74% in children >10 years. Admission to the PICU was required in 10% (92) of the cases, mainly due to acute respiratory failure. CONCLUSION: Influenza continues to be an important cause of hospitalisation in the Spanish child population. Children <6 months of age and children with underlying diseases make up the majority (> 50%) of the cases. Many of the severe forms of childhood influenza that occur today could be avoided if current vaccination guidelines were met.
INTRODUCTION: There are only a limited number of studies on the impact of influenza in the Spanish child population. The present work intends to increase this knowledge by studying some key aspects, such as the incidence of hospital admissions, clinic variables, comorbidities, and the vaccination status in the hospitalised children. METHODS: A retrospective, observational study was conducted by reviewing the medical records of children under 15 years and hospitalised due to community acquired influenza confirmed microbiologically, during 2́flu seasons (2014-2015 and 2015-2016). The study was carried out in 10 hospitals of 6cities, which represent approximately 12% of the Spanish child population. RESULTS: A total of 907 children were admitted to hospital with main diagnosis of influenza infection (447 <2 years), estimating an average annual rate of hospitalisation incidence of 0.51 cases / 1,000 children (95% CI; 0.48-0.55). Just under half (45%) of the cases had an underlying disease considered a risk factor for severe influenza, and most (74%) had not been vaccinated. The percentage of children with underlying diseases increased with age, from 26% in children <6 months to 74% in children >10 years. Admission to the PICU was required in 10% (92) of the cases, mainly due to acute respiratory failure. CONCLUSION:Influenza continues to be an important cause of hospitalisation in the Spanish child population. Children <6 months of age and children with underlying diseases make up the majority (> 50%) of the cases. Many of the severe forms of childhood influenza that occur today could be avoided if current vaccination guidelines were met.