Risk Factors for Influenza Virus Related Severe Lower Respiratory Tract Infection in Children

Background: Influenza virus is one of the most common respiratory pathogens for all age groups and may cause seasonal outbreaks. Our aim was to identify risk groups and factors associated with severe clinical course including mortality in children with influenza-related lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI). Methods: We conducted a retrospective study in children hospitalized with influenza virus LRTI from 2008 to 2018. Data on demographic features, influenza type, viral coinfection, primary and secondary bacterial infections (SBIs), time of onset of antiviral treatment, comorbidities, hospitalization length, pediatric intensive care unit admission/invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) need and mortality were collected from medical records. Results: There were 280 patients hospitalized with LRTI and median hospitalization length was 9 days. Congenital heart disease, neuromuscular disease, SBIs and late-onset antiviral treatment were independent risk factors for prolonged hospital stay (P
Source: The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal - Category: Infectious Diseases Tags: Original Studies Source Type: research