Comparison of Children Hospitalized for 2009 Pandemic H1N1 Influenza with Those Hospitalized for Seasonal Influenza
Author Information
Author(s): Chiu Susan S., Chan Kwok-Hung, Wong Wilfred H. S., Chan Eunice L. Y., Peiris J. S. M.
Primary Institution: The University of Hong Kong
Hypothesis
How do children hospitalized for pandemic H1N1 influenza compare to those hospitalized for seasonal influenza in terms of clinical manifestations and outcomes?
Conclusion
Disease manifestation of children hospitalized for pH1N1 infection was mild in our patient population.
Supporting Evidence
- Children with pH1N1 were more likely to have at least one risk condition for influenza.
- There was no death or intensive care admission in any child in this study.
- Children with pH1N1 had a lower maximum temperature recorded compared to those with seasonal influenza.
- Almost half of the patients admitted for pH1N1 were treated with a full course of oseltamivir.
Takeaway
The study looked at kids with a specific flu and found that they didn't get very sick compared to kids with other types of flu.
Methodology
An age-matched control study comparing children hospitalized for pH1N1 with historic controls infected with seasonal H1N1 and H3N2 influenza.
Potential Biases
There may be bias in the admission of less severely affected children during the pandemic.
Limitations
Potential bias from using historical controls and differences in admission thresholds during pandemic and inter-pandemic periods.
Participant Demographics
Median age of children with pH1N1 was 5.7 years, with a male to female ratio of 1.25:1.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.0005
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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