Hospitalization of Children Aged <5 Years Due to Influenza: Study Based on the National Hospitalization Registry

Abstract

Background: Influenza constitutes a significant health care burden that can be related to an increased morbidity and mortality. The aim of the study is to show up-to-date information on influenza hospitalization cases in Poland in children aged &lt;5 years. Methods: The data used in the study were hospitalization records from 2015–2019, which had been gathered in a Nationwide General Hospital Morbidity Study and made available by the National Institute of Public Health. Results: 8565 records of patients with influenza were subject to analysis. The mean and median age of the patients were 2.2 and 2.1 years, respectively. Influenza hospitalization incidence was estimated at 90 per 100,000 person-years (PY) in children aged &lt;5 years. The number of hospitalization cases was significantly higher in patients living in urban regions than in those living in rural regions (97 vs. 77 per 100,000 PY; p &lt; 0.001). The age of patients living in urban regions was significantly lower than the age of patients living in rural regions (2.2 vs. 2.3 years; p &lt; 0.001). A statistically significant increase in hospitalization was observed. Conclusions: The reported increasing trend in hospitalizations indicates the need to take focused measures. Presented data may be useful in comparative analyses in a European context.

The outcome of COVID‐19 in children with chronic lung disease: Systematic review and meta‐analyses

“…This is unusual as respiratory infections usually afflict children <5 years old. Respiratory syncytial virus and influenza‐related hospitalizations are mainly seen in children aged <5 years 42,43 . COVID‐19 initially afflicted adults and the elderly 44 .…”

“…Respiratory syncytial virus and influenza-related hospitalizations are mainly seen in children aged <5 years. 42,43 COVID-19 initially afflicted adults and the elderly. 44 Interestingly, the study by Kompaniyets et al who looked at children found that asthma was not associated with a higher risk of COVID-19 among hospitalized children, except among those aged 12-18 years.…”

Comparison of Length of Hospital Stay for Community-Acquired Infections Due to Enteric Pathogens, Influenza Viruses and Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria: A Cross-Sectional Study in Hungary

“…Therefore, it is assumed that people’s place of residence can influence the type of pathogenic microorganisms they are exposed to on a daily basis [ 32 ]. This might contribute to differences in the share of patients with CAI due to enteric pathogens, influenza viruses and MDR bacteria in villages, cities, and cities with county status [ 32 , 33 , 34 ]. Our results support this assumption for CAI due to Campylobacter , Rotavirus, MECO and MKLE; however, further research is required to determine the role of environment at a settlement in the spread of CAIs.…”

“…The investigations available have found that CAIs due to MDR bacteria were the most frequent among the elderly, whereas community-acquired influenza and enteric diseases affected both children and elderly [ 4 , 8 , 10 , 12 , 27 , 29 ]. In addition, previous studies have suggested that there can be differences in the spread of pathogenic microorganisms causing CAI between the population living in urban and rural areas [ 32 , 33 , 34 ]. However, data on the share of patients with CAI due to enteric pathogens, influenza viruses and MDR bacteria living in settlements with different characteristics are limited, even in developed countries [ 32 , 33 , 34 ].…”

“…In addition, previous studies have suggested that there can be differences in the spread of pathogenic microorganisms causing CAI between the population living in urban and rural areas [ 32 , 33 , 34 ]. However, data on the share of patients with CAI due to enteric pathogens, influenza viruses and MDR bacteria living in settlements with different characteristics are limited, even in developed countries [ 32 , 33 , 34 ]. It has also been shown that the length of hospital stay is increased if the patients suffered from CAI caused by enteric pathogens, influenza viruses or MDR bacteria [ 5 , 35 , 36 ].…”