title: Novel influenza A (H1N1) 2009 infection in the pediatric patients with hematologic and oncologic diseases in the Yeungnam region.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Natural history and consequences of the novel 2009 influenza A H1N1 (2009 H1N1) infection in immunocompromised pediatric patients are not yet fully understood. In this study, we investigated the clinical features and outcomes of the 2009 H1N1 infection in pediatric patients with hematological and oncological diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 528 patients who had hematological and oncological diseases and who were treated at 7 referral centers located in the Yeungnam region. Among the 528 patients, 27 with definite diagnosis of 2009 H1N1 infection were the subjects of this study. All patients were divided into the following 3 groups: patients who were receiving chemotherapy (group 1), patients who were immunosuppressed due to a non-malignant hematological disease (group 2), and patients who were off chemotherapy and had undergone their last chemotherapy course within 2 years from the influenza A pandemic (group 3).
  
  
  RESULTS
  All 28 episodes of 2009 H1N1 infection were treated with the antiviral agent oseltamivir (Tamiflu®), and 20 episodes were treated after hospitalization. Group 1 patients had higher frequencies of lower respiratory tract infection and longer durations of fever and hospitalization as compared to those in group 2. Ultimately, all episodes resolved completely with no complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that early antiviral therapy did not influence the morbidity or mortality of pediatric patients with hematological and oncological diseases in the Yeungnam region of Korea after the 2009 H1N1 infection. However, no definite conclusions can be drawn because of the small sample size.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Daegu, Korea.
authors: Seok Jeong
authors: SJ
authors: Kang
authors: Jae Min
authors: JM
authors: Lee
authors: Jeong Ok
authors: JO
authors: Hah
authors: Ye Jee
authors: YJ
authors: Shim
authors: Kun Soo
authors: KS
authors: Lee
authors: Hyun Jung
authors: HJ
authors: Shin
authors: Heung Sik
authors: HS
authors: Kim
authors: Eun Jin
authors: EJ
authors: Choi
authors: So Eun
authors: SE
authors: Jeon
authors: Young Tak
authors: YT
authors: Lim
authors: Ji Kyeong
authors: JK
authors: Park
authors: Eun Sil
authors: ES
authors: Park