title: Oseltamivir for influenza infection in children: risks and benefits.
abstract: Influenza is a common disease affecting many children each year. In a number of cases, particularly in children <2 years old and in those with severe chronic underlying disease, influenza can be complicated by lower respiratory tract infections, acute otitis media, rhinosinusitis, febrile seizures, dehydration or encephalopathy. Oseltamivir is the influenza virus drug that is most commonly studied in children for both the treatment and prevention of influenza. To avoid the risk that children with mild influenza or patients suffering from different viral infections receive oseltamivir, oseltamivir treatment should be recommended only in severe influenza cases, especially if confirmed by reliable laboratory tests. However, therapy must be initiated considering the risk of complications and the presence of severe clinical manifestations at age- and weight-appropriate doses. Because the vaccine remains the best option for preventing influenza and its complications, prophylaxis using oseltamivir should only be considered in select patients.
authors.affiliation: a Paediatric Highly Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation , Università degli Studi di Milano, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico , Milan , Italy.
authors.forename: Susanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Esposito
authors.affiliation: a Paediatric Highly Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation , Università degli Studi di Milano, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico , Milan , Italy.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Principi
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D024882:Drug Resistance, Viral / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D053139:Oseltamivir / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D053139:Oseltamivir
keywords: Antiviral prophylaxis; antiviral therapy; children; influenza; neuraminidase inhibitor; oseltamivir