title: Pandemic A/H1N1v influenza 2009 in hospitalized children: a multicenter Belgian survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  During the 2009 influenza A/H1N1v pandemic, children were identified as a specific "at risk" group. We conducted a multicentric study to describe pattern of influenza A/H1N1v infection among hospitalized children in Brussels, Belgium.
  
  
  METHODS
  From July 1, 2009, to January 31, 2010, we collected epidemiological and clinical data of all proven (positive H1N1v PCR) and probable (positive influenza A antigen or culture) pediatric cases of influenza A/H1N1v infections, hospitalized in four tertiary centers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the epidemic period, an excess of 18% of pediatric outpatients and emergency department visits was registered. 215 children were hospitalized with proven/probable influenza A/H1N1v infection. Median age was 31 months. 47% had ≥ 1 comorbid conditions. Febrile respiratory illness was the most common presentation. 36% presented with initial gastrointestinal symptoms and 10% with neurological manifestations. 34% had pneumonia. Only 24% of the patients received oseltamivir but 57% received antibiotics. 10% of children were admitted to PICU, seven of whom with ARDS. Case fatality-rate was 5/215 (2%), concerning only children suffering from chronic neurological disorders. Children over 2 years of age showed a higher propensity to be admitted to PICU (16% vs 1%, p = 0.002) and a higher mortality rate (4% vs 0%, p = 0.06). Infants less than 3 months old showed a milder course of infection, with few respiratory and neurological complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although influenza A/H1N1v infections were generally self-limited, pediatric burden of disease was significant. Compared to other countries experiencing different health care systems, our Belgian cohort was younger and received less frequently antiviral therapy; disease course and mortality were however similar.
authors: Pediatric Infectious Diseases Unit, Hôpital Universitaire des Enfants Reine Fabiola (HUDERF), Brussels, Belgium. sophie.blumental@ulb.ac.be
authors: Sophie
authors: S
authors: Blumental
authors: Elisabeth
authors: E
authors: Huisman
authors: Marie-Coralie
authors: MC
authors: Cornet
authors: Christine
authors: C
authors: Ferreiro
authors: Iris
authors: I
authors: De Schutter
authors: Marijke
authors: M
authors: Reynders
authors: Ingrid
authors: I
authors: Wybo
authors: Benoît
authors: B
authors: Kabamba-Mukadi
authors: Ruth
authors: R
authors: Armano
authors: Dominique
authors: D
authors: Hermans
authors: Marie-Cécile
authors: MC
authors: Nassogne
authors: Bhavna
authors: B
authors: Mahadeb
authors: Christine
authors: C
authors: Fonteyne
authors: Gerlant
authors: G
authors: Van Berlaer
authors: Jack
authors: J
authors: Levy
authors: Didier
authors: D
authors: Moulin
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Vergison
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Malfroot
authors: Philippe
authors: P
authors: Lepage
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002673:Child, Hospitalized; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003422:Critical Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D053139:Oseltamivir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D058873:Pandemics; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D016019:Survival Analysis
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D053139:Oseltamivir