Clinical analysis of influenza in the neonatal intensive care unit

Canyang Jia; Wanyu Jia; Xiaowen Yi; Shuqin Fu; Yajie Cui; Peng Li; Chunlan Song

doi:10.1186/s13052-024-01742-6

Italian Journal of Pediatrics (Sep 2024)

Clinical analysis of influenza in the neonatal intensive care unit

Canyang Jia,
Wanyu Jia,
Xiaowen Yi,
Shuqin Fu,
Yajie Cui,
Peng Li,
Chunlan Song

Affiliations

Canyang Jia: Henan Province Engineering Research Center of Diagnosis and Treatment of Pediatric Infection and Critical Care, Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children’s Hospital, Zhengzhou Children’s Hospital
Wanyu Jia: Henan Province Engineering Research Center of Diagnosis and Treatment of Pediatric Infection and Critical Care, Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children’s Hospital, Zhengzhou Children’s Hospital
Xiaowen Yi: Henan Province Engineering Research Center of Diagnosis and Treatment of Pediatric Infection and Critical Care, Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children’s Hospital, Zhengzhou Children’s Hospital
Shuqin Fu: Henan Province Engineering Research Center of Diagnosis and Treatment of Pediatric Infection and Critical Care, Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children’s Hospital, Zhengzhou Children’s Hospital
Yajie Cui: Henan Province Engineering Research Center of Diagnosis and Treatment of Pediatric Infection and Critical Care, Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children’s Hospital, Zhengzhou Children’s Hospital
Peng Li: Henan Province Engineering Research Center of Diagnosis and Treatment of Pediatric Infection and Critical Care, Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children’s Hospital, Zhengzhou Children’s Hospital
Chunlan Song: Henan Province Engineering Research Center of Diagnosis and Treatment of Pediatric Infection and Critical Care, Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children’s Hospital, Zhengzhou Children’s Hospital

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13052-024-01742-6
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 50, no. 1
pp. 1 – 7

Abstract

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Abstract Background The aim was to investigate the clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis of neonatal influenza. Methods The clinical data of 21 neonates who were diagnosed with influenza and admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Henan Provincial Children’s Hospital, China, between January 2023 and January 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Results A total of 21 patients were admitted, including 14 with influenza A and 7 with influenza B. Eighteen of these patients were reported to have been exposed to family members with respiratory symptoms before hospitalization. Among all the patients’ mothers, only 1 received the influenza vaccine during pregnancy. Fifteen newborns had fever, 13 appetite loss, 10 cough, 9 shortness of breath, 9 nasal obstruction, 3 runny nose, 3 vomiting, 2 severe wheezing, 2 choking, 2 diarrhea, 1 bloating, and 1 sputum in the throat. The pulmonary auscultation sounds were coarse in 19 neonates, weak in 2, moist rales were appreciated in 5 and wheezing in 4 of them. The peripheral total white blood cell count was normal in 18 patients and elevated in 3. The C-reactive protein level was normal in all subjects, and the procalcitonin level was elevated in 1. Nineteen patients had pneumonia on chest imaging. All patients were treated with oseltamivir and finally recovered. Conclusion Influenza A is the most common type of neonatal influenza. The clinical symptoms are atypical, and fever is the main symptom. Treatment with oseltamivir is safe and effective, and the prognosis is mostly favorable.

Published in Italian Journal of Pediatrics

ISSN: 1720-8424 (Print); 1824-7288 (Online)
Publisher: BMC
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Medicine: Pediatrics
Website: https://ijponline.biomedcentral.com/

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