title: Outbreaks of influenza A virus infection in neonatal intensive care units.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Outbreaks of nosocomial influenza virus infections have been described rarely during childhood and even less so in the neonatal period.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report 30 neonates admitted to 2 neonatal intensive care units with nosocomial influenza A virus infection, which occurred in 2 outbreaks during 1999. Risk factors for infection were evaluated, and control measures were adopted. Virus was detected by indirect immunofluorescence antibody screen. Any infant with nasopharyngeal aspirate positive for influenza A virus was considered infected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 95 infants screened 30 were positive for influenza A virus (31.5%). Mean birth weight was 1622 g, and mean gestational age was 31 weeks in the infected group. In the noninfected group mean birth weight was 2594 g and mean gestational age was 36.4 weeks. Low birth weight, short gestational age, twin pregnancy and mechanical ventilation were identified as risk factors for infection. Clinical symptoms were seen in 22, and 8 were asymptomatic. Clinical features were predominantly respiratory and digestive. The outcome was favorable in all cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Infection by influenza virus has to be considered as a possible cause of nosocomial infection in the neonatal period. Control measures and prevention are important.
authors: Servei de Neonatologia-Pediatra, SCIAS Hospital de Barcelona, Spain.
authors: Xavier
authors: X
authors: Sagrera
authors: Gemma
authors: G
authors: Ginovart
authors: Frederic
authors: F
authors: Raspall
authors: Nuria
authors: N
authors: Rabella
authors: Pere
authors: P
authors: Sala
authors: Montserrat
authors: M
authors: Sierra
authors: Xavier
authors: X
authors: Demestre
authors: Clara
authors: C
authors: Vila
mesh_terms: D001724:Birth Weight; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology*; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology*; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012307:Risk Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D014427:Twins