Clinical Profile and Outcome of Admitted Pediatric Patients with Influenza

Background: Influenza is one of the most common illnesses pediatricians face. Children are especially at risk for contracting influenza. Aside from fever, cough and colds, the disease may present differently in children. Complications due to influenza are varied and anti-virals may be useful if given early in the course of illness. Objectives: To determine the clinical profile of admitted pediatric patients with influenza based on rapid testing and determine its prevalence, outcome and complications. Methods: Cross sectional study of pediatric patients who had nasopharyngeal swab for influenza by antigen rapid detection test were included. Retrospective chart review was done on patients with influenza-like illness admitted from 2013-2019. Results: There were 244 patient charts reviewed, the mean age of patients was 5 – 9 years old and majority had no influenza vaccine during the year of admission. Patients presented with fever, cough, colds and non-specific symptoms. Ear pain, difficulty of breathing and myalgia were found to be associated with a positive influenza infection. Of the 244 suspected patients, 133 (54%) were positive for influenza rapid testing, 33% were influenza B positive and 21.3 % were influenza A positive. The most common clinical complication for influenza positive patients was pneumonia. 1 patient had respiratory failure, 5 had febrile convulsions and 7 developed viral myositis. 19% of the subjects had asthma as co-morbidity. Only 11% of the population had their annual influenza vaccine. Conclusion: 54% of pediatric patients tested for influenza had positive tests for either Influenza A or B. Although generally a mild illness, it contributes to morbidity and mortality in children. Complications are not uncommon in the pediatric population as seen in this study. Vaccination remains an important preventive measure to curb influenza cases.