Influenza in hospitalized children in Ireland in the pandemic period and the 2010/2011 season: risk factors for paediatric intensive-care-unit admission.
Influenza causes significant morbidity and mortality in children. This study's objectives were to describe influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 during the pandemic, to compare it with circulating influenza in 2010/2011, and to identify risk factors for severe influenza defined as requiring admission to a paediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Children hospitalized with influenza during the pandemic were older, and more likely to have received antiviral therapy than children hospitalized during the 2010/2011 season. In 2010/2011, only one child admitted to a PICU with underlying medical conditions had been vaccinated. The risk of severe illness in the pandemic was higher in females and those with underlying conditions. In 2010/2011, infection with influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 compared to other influenza viruses was a significant risk factor for severe disease. An incremental relationship was found between the number of underlying conditions and PICU admission. These findings highlight the importance of improving low vaccination uptake and increasing the use of antivirals in vulnerable children.
Health Protection Surveillance Centre, Health Service Executive,Dublin,Ireland.
J
J
Rebolledo
Health Protection Surveillance Centre, Health Service Executive,Dublin,Ireland.
D
D
Igoe
Health Protection Surveillance Centre, Health Service Executive,Dublin,Ireland.
J
J
O'Donnell
Health Protection Surveillance Centre, Health Service Executive,Dublin,Ireland.
L
L
Domegan
Department of Public Health,Health Service Executive Dublin,Ireland.
M
M
Boland
National Maternity Hospital,Holles Street, Dublin,Ireland.
B
B
Freyne
Department of Public Health,Health Service Executive Tullamore,Ireland.
A
A
McNAMARA
National Maternity Hospital,Holles Street, Dublin,Ireland.
E
E
Molloy
Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine,Our Lady's Children's Hospital,Crumlin, Dublin,Ireland.
M
M
Callaghan
Department of Public Health,Health Service Executive Sligo,Ireland.
A
A
Ryan
Health Protection Surveillance Centre, Health Service Executive,Dublin,Ireland.
D
D
O'Flanagan
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors