A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Burden of influenza in children in the community
Authors: Heikkinen T., Silvennoinen H., Peltola V., Ziegler T., Vainionpää R., Vuorinen T., Kainulainen L., Puhakka T., Jartti T., Toikka P., Lehtinen P., Routi T., Juvén T.
Publication year: 2004
Journal: Journal of Infectious Diseases
Journal name in source: Journal of Infectious Diseases
Volume: 190
Issue: 8
First page : 1369
Last page: 1373
Number of pages: 5
ISSN: 0022-1899
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1086/424527(external)
Web address : http://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id:4944258692(external)
Abstract
Background. Influenza vaccination of healthy children is encouraged because children are frequently hospitalized for influenza-attributable illnesses. However, most children with influenza are treated as outpatients, and scarce data are available on the burden of influenza in these children. Methods. We performed a prospective study of respiratory infections in preenrolled cohorts of children ≤13 years old during 2 consecutive respiratory seasons (2231 child-seasons of follow-up). At any sign of respiratory infection, we examined the children and obtained a nasal swab for the detection of influenza. The parents filled out daily symptom diaries. Of all the enrollees, 94% remained active participants in the study. Results. The average annual rate of influenza was highest (179 cases/1000 children) among children <3 years old. Acute otitis media developed as a complication of influenza in 39.7% of children <3 years old. For every 100 influenza-infected children <3 years old, there were 195 days of parental work loss (mean duration, 3.2 days). Conclusions. Influenza causes a substantial burden of illness on outpatient children and their families. Vaccination of children <3 years old might be beneficial for reducing the direct and indirect costs of influenza in children.
Background. Influenza vaccination of healthy children is encouraged because children are frequently hospitalized for influenza-attributable illnesses. However, most children with influenza are treated as outpatients, and scarce data are available on the burden of influenza in these children. Methods. We performed a prospective study of respiratory infections in preenrolled cohorts of children ≤13 years old during 2 consecutive respiratory seasons (2231 child-seasons of follow-up). At any sign of respiratory infection, we examined the children and obtained a nasal swab for the detection of influenza. The parents filled out daily symptom diaries. Of all the enrollees, 94% remained active participants in the study. Results. The average annual rate of influenza was highest (179 cases/1000 children) among children <3 years old. Acute otitis media developed as a complication of influenza in 39.7% of children <3 years old. For every 100 influenza-infected children <3 years old, there were 195 days of parental work loss (mean duration, 3.2 days). Conclusions. Influenza causes a substantial burden of illness on outpatient children and their families. Vaccination of children <3 years old might be beneficial for reducing the direct and indirect costs of influenza in children.
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