Effects of oseltamivir on influenza-related complications in children with chronic medical conditions.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the influence of oseltamivir on influenza-related complications and hospitalizations for children and adolescents, 1 to 17 years of age, with chronic medical conditions or neurologic or neuromuscular disease.


METHODS
In a retrospective study, outcomes for patients who were given oseltamivir within 1 day after influenza diagnosis were compared with those for patients who received no antiviral therapy. Anonymous data from MarketScan databases (Thomson Reuters, Cambridge, MA) were used to identify patients from 6 influenza seasons between 2000 and 2006. The study outcomes were frequencies of pneumonia, respiratory illnesses other than pneumonia, otitis media, and hospitalization.


RESULTS
Oseltamivir was prescribed for 1634 patients according to the study criteria, and 3721 patients received no antiviral therapy for their influenza. After adjustment for demographic and medical history variables, oseltamivir was associated with significant reductions in the risks of respiratory illnesses other than pneumonia, otitis media and its complications, and all-cause hospitalization in the 14 days after influenza diagnosis. Analyses for 30 days after influenza diagnosis also showed significant risk reductions for respiratory illnesses other than pneumonia, otitis media and its complications, and all-cause hospitalization with oseltamivir.


CONCLUSIONS
When it was prescribed at influenza diagnosis, oseltamivir was associated with reduced risks of influenza-related complications and hospitalizations for children and adolescents at high risk of influenza complications.
Piedra
Pedro A
PA
Departments of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. ppiedra@bcm.tmc.edu
Schulman
Kathy L
KL
Blumentals
William A
WA
D000293:Adolescent; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000150:complications* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D053139:Oseltamivir / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000453:epidemiology; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D053139:Oseltamivir