title: Effects of inactivated influenza vaccine on respiratory illnesses and asthma-related events in children with mild persistent asthma in Asia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acute asthmatic exacerbation and readmission may be associated with severe influenza infection and asthmatic children are a priority group for influenza vaccination. To date, our study is the first to evaluate the outcome of the influenza vaccine in asthmatic Asian children.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the outcomes of inactivated influenza vaccine in children with mild persistent asthma
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross sectional non-randomized study was performed on 93 mild persistent asthmatic children who attended the Pediatric Allergy clinic between June 2012 in Chiang Rai Hospital and August 2013. Forty eight patients were immunized with 2 doses of inactivated influenza vaccine at one month interval. Respiratory illnesses and asthma-related events were compared between the immunized and the un-immunized groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The two study groups had similar demographic and clinical characteristic except with regards to eczema, including asthma controllers and skin prick testing results. One year after the vaccine was administered, the immunized group had significantly reduced acute respiratory tract illnesses, asthma exacerbations, ER visits, bronchodilator usage and systemic steroid administrations. Hospitalizations (p < 0.001) and their duration (p < 0.034) were also reduced in the immunized group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Immunization of inactivated influenza vaccine in children with mild persistent asthma decreased respiratory illnesses and asthma-related events.
authors.affiliation: Institutional affiliations: Academic Department, Department of Ped Faculty of Medicine, 1st Floor, 5# Building, No.1039 Phaholyothin Road, Chiangrai Province, 57000.
authors.forename: Charoen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jaiwong
authors.forename: Jarungchit
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ngamphaiboon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / Q000276:immunology*; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013256:Steroids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013785:Thailand; D014611:Vaccination; D015164:Vaccines, Inactivated
chemical_list: D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D013256:Steroids; D015164:Vaccines, Inactivated