[Compliance and safety of oseltamivir treatment in children and infants less than one year of age].
BACKGROUND
Data regarding the compliance and safety of oseltamivir in infants < 1-year-old are limited.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the rates of adverse effects and compliance with oseltamivir treatment among hospitalized children aged < 1-year-old with suspected influenza and older children.


METHODS
A telephone follow-up was carried out with parents of children admitted to hospital during the 2009-influenza pandemic within a week after their discharge, and their medical records were reviewed.


RESULTS
A total of 89 children were included (median age was 1.3 years old); 38.2% were < 1-year-old. Only 9% were diagnosed with pH1N1 influenza. The mean duration of therapy was 3 days. Difficulty in the administration of oseltamivir was reported in 52.8% of the children. Adverse effects were reported in 53.9% of the children. The most common were vomiting and/or diarrhea (32.6%) followed by restlessness (31.8%), and rash (6.7%). Treatment of only one child was discontinued due to a possible adverse event. The rates of adverse effects and difficulties in oseltamivir administration were similar among infants < 1-yr-old and older children.


CONCLUSIONS
The compliance and safety of oseltamivir therapy were similar among infants < 1-yr-old and older children. Difficulties in oseltamivir administrating and/or possible adverse effects have rarely influenced compliance. Liberal treatment with oseltamivir has led to prominent overuse of the medication.
Pediatric Infectious Disease Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Edith Wolfson Medical. Center, Holon. dtasher@gmail.com
Diana
D
Tasher
Boaz
B
Bishop
Michal
M
Stein
Eli
E
Somekh
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D053139:Oseltamivir / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D053139:Oseltamivir