Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1)v Infection Among the Children Admitted to Suleyman Demirel University

Abstract

Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1)v Infection Among the Children Admitted to Süleyman Demirel UniversityAbstract Aim: We aimed to evaluate the clinical and epidemiological features of the patients that were admitted to Suleyman Demirel University Medical Faculty Pediatric Department, for whom the pre-diagnosis was H1N1v. Material and Methods: Demographic characteristics, clinical findings, laboratory tests results and radiological evaluations of 64 patients who were admitted to Suleyman Demirel University Medical Faculty Pediatric Department with pre-diagnosis of H1N1v were analyzed and evaluated. Findings: Average age of the patients who were admitted and observed with pre-diagnosis of pandemic influenza, was 32,4 months (1-188 months) and 34% (n=22) of the cases were female. Nine of the patients (14%) were confirmed for final diagnosis as H1N1v. Most common complaints during admission were cough (85,9%), fever (68,%) and weakness (57,8%). Five of the patients (55%) that are H1N1v positive had preexisting diseases. Five patients needed intensive care unit during the observation and treatment. Two (22,2%) of them did not survive. Results: Clinical findings of pandemic influenza and seasonal influenza are quite similar. Preexisting diseases increase the rates of morbidity and mortality.