A comparison between the presentation of confirmed influenza AH1N12009 virus infection and influenza-like illness among children admitted at Queen Alia Military Hospital

الملخص EN

Objectives : to describe the clinical characteristics of children who were hospitalized with respiratory infections during the year 2009 at Queen Alia Military Hospital in Amman and to compare features of confirmed influenza A/H1N1/ 2009 virus infections with features of Influenza-like illness. Methods : hospitalized children under the age of 14 years with respiratory infections during the year 2009, with influenza A / H1N1 / virus infection were studied.

All were tested with Real Time-Polymerase-Chain-Reaction (RT-PCR) assay for Influenza A / H1N1/ 2009 virus and chest radiography was done on admission.

All were treated with Oseltamivir on admission till the laboratory results were available. Results : during the study period, there were 77 admissions with respiratory infection.

Only one death occurred.

Forty-four (57 %) were males, 44 had positive RT-PCR for influenza A/H1N1 / 2009 virus and 33(43%) tested negative and were considered, to have influenza-like illness.

Comparing patients, who had confirmed influenza A/H1N1/2009, to those with influenza-like illness, revealed that the mean age was 51 months versus 42 months.

Underlying medical conditions were present in 70 % versus 48 % (p < 0.001).

Chest radiographic findings were consistent with pneumonia in 100 % versus 27 % (p < 0.001).

All patients had fever on admission.

Dyspnoea was observed in 57 % versus 33 % (p < 0.005).

Cough was seen in 91 % versus 89 % (p > 0.05).

Vomiting affected 25% versus 18% (p > 0.05).

Diarrhea occurred in 34 % versus 21 % (p > 0.05).

Three patients had hematuria and one had croup, all were in the positively tested group.

The patient that died had neurological disability and was tested positive for the infection. Conclusion : Influenza A / H1N1/ 2009 caused significant illness requiring hospitalization.

When compared to patients with influenza-like illness, patients with influenza A / H1N1 / 2009 infections, were older, significantly more patients had dyspnoea, radiologically confirmed pneumonia and an underlying medical condition.

Gastrointestinal symptoms were more common in patients with confirmed influenza A / H1N1 / 2009 infection, but the difference was not statistically significant.