Severe Influenza Cases in Children in Germany (2005-2008)
Author Information
Author(s): Andrea Streng, Veit Grote, Johannes G. Liese
Primary Institution: University Children's Hospital, Würzburg, Germany
Hypothesis
What are the complications and outcomes of severe seasonal influenza in children admitted to pediatric intensive care units in Germany?
Conclusion
Severe influenza-associated pneumonia and secondary bacterial infections are significant complications in children, with a low incidence of severe cases reported.
Supporting Evidence
- 20 severe influenza cases were reported from 14 pediatric intensive care units.
- 70% of the patients had influenza A, and 25% had influenza B.
- 50% of the children required mechanical ventilation.
- 55% of the children had chronic underlying medical conditions.
- Two fatalities were reported among the cases.
Takeaway
This study looked at children in Germany who got really sick from the flu. It found that many of them had serious problems, but not a lot of kids ended up in the hospital.
Methodology
Active surveillance was conducted in pediatric hospitals across Germany to report severe influenza cases in children under 17 years old.
Potential Biases
Possible under-reporting of cases and changes in medical staff may have affected data collection.
Limitations
The study may underestimate the true incidence of severe influenza cases due to under-diagnosis and low participation in the reporting system.
Participant Demographics
The study included 20 children (12 males, 8 females) with a median age of 7.5 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website