[Hospitalization due to influenza in children in Santiago, Chile, 2001-2005]. / Hospitalización por influenza en un Servicio de Pediatría de Santiago de Chile, 2001-2005.

BACKGROUND: Influenza cause high hospitalization rates and complications in children. OBJECTIVE: To describe clinical and epidemiological characteristics of influenza infection in hospitalized children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In Universidad Católica Hospital, all hospitalizations due to influenza in children aged 15 days to 14 years, occurring between January 2001 and December 2005 were reviewed. RESULTS: Of a total of 3570 admissions associated with a respiratory illness, 124 (3.5%) were due to influenza, of which 75% presented between the months of April and June. Median age was 20.5 months (60% younger than 2 years) and 24% had an underlying risk factor. Most common symptoms were fever (94%) and dry cough (61%) and 75% of the children required oxygen. The most frequent complication was pneumonia (53%). The mean duration of hospitalization and oxygen use were 4.4 and 2.5 days respectively. Fifty two children (49.1%) received an antibiotic and nine children were admitted to intensive care unit. No deaths were recorded. CONCLUSION: Influenza virus cause serious complications and affects mostly healthy children younger than 2 years.

Hospitalización por influenza en un Servicio de Pediatría de Santiago de Chile, 2001-2005 / Hospitalization due to influenza in children in Santiago, Chile, 2001-2005

Background: Influenza cause high hospitalization rates and complications in children. Objective: To describe clinical and epidemiological characteristics of influenza infection in hospitalized children. Patients and methods: In Universidad Católica Hospital, all hospitalizations due to influenza in children aged 15 days to 14 years, ocurring between January 2001 and December 2005 were reviewed. Results: Of a total of 3570 admissions associated with a respiratory illness, 124 (3.5 percent) were due to influenza, of which 75 percent presented between the months of April and June. Median age was 20.5 months (60 percent younger than 2 years) and 24 percent had an underlying risk factor. Most common symptoms were fever (94 percent) and dry cough (61 percent) and 75 percent of the children required oxygen. The most frequent complication was pneumonia (53 percent). The mean duration of hospitalization and oxygen use were 4.4 and 2.5 days respectively. Fifty two children (49.1 percent) received an antibiotic and nine children were admitted to intensive care unit. No deaths were recorded. Conclusion: Influenza virus cause serious complications and affects mostly healthy children younger than 2 years.

Introducción: El virus influenza produce elevadas tasas de hospitalización y complicaciones en niños. Objetivo: Describir el perfil clínico-epidemiológico de los niños hospitalizados por influenza en un hospital universitario. Pacientes y Métodos: Estudio descriptivo de las hospitalizaciones respiratorias y por influenza entre enero 2001 y diciembre 2005 en el Hospital Clínico de la Pontificia Universidad Católica. Resultados: Se hospitalizaron 3.570 niños por alguna causa respiratoria, 124 (3,5 por ciento) correspondieron a influenza confirmada, 75 por ciento ocurrieron entre abril y junio. La edad promedio fue 20,5 meses (60 por ciento) < 2 años), 24 por ciento tenían algún factor de riesgo identificado. Los síntomas más frecuentes fueron: fiebre (94 por ciento) y tos seca (61 por ciento). El 75 por ciento) presentó hipoxemia, siendo la complicación más frecuente la neumonía (53 por ciento). El promedio (días) de hospitalización y oxígeno fue 4,4 y 2,5; respectivamente. En 52/109 se indicaron antibacterianos, 9 niños ingresaron a cuidados intensivos. No hubo fallecidos. Conclusión: La hospitalización por influenza se asoció a serias complicaciones y afecta especialmente a niños sanos menores de 2 años.