title: Comparison of the clinical features of children hospitalized with pandemic 2009 A:H1N1 and seasonal influenza.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We compared the demographics, clinical presentation, course and outcome of children hospitalized with pandemic A:H1N1 and seasonal influenza.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty seven patients hospitalized from April 1st through August 31st 2009 with pandemic A:H1N1 influenza were enrolled. Two seasonal influenza cohorts were identified: 38 inpatients from January 1st 2004 through March 31st 2009, diagnosed by viral culture or direct fluorescent antibody testing; and 42 inpatients from January 1st 2007 through December 31st 2008 diagnosed via a rapid test. The two seasonal cohorts were not significantly different and were combined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients with pandemic influenza were older (median age 6.5 years versus 1.3 years, P <.0001); were more often black (46% versus 23%, P <.0002); more frequently had an underlying condition (72% versus 49% P <.0049); and more often had wheezing (57% versus 16%, P <.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was no significant difference between the groups in measures of severity during hospitalization.
authors: North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System, New Hyde Park, NY, USA. gostovar@nshs.edu
authors: Gholamabbas A
authors: GA
authors: Ostovar
authors: Lorry G
authors: LG
authors: Rubin
authors: Sujatha
authors: S
authors: Rajan
authors: Sunil K
authors: SK
authors: Sood
authors: Nina
authors: N
authors: Kohn
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D058873:Pandemics; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000503:physiopathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index