Early Tamiflu administration reduces risk of Flu associated pneumonia in children
China: Early administration of oseltamivir (within the first 48 hours of onset) can reduce the risk of influenza B virus-associated pneumonia in hospitalized pediatric patients, a recent study in the Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal has suggested.
Influenza B outbreaks occurred worldwide from November 2017 to April 2018. Annual seasonal influenza epidemics -- caused by influenza virus A and B -- are associated with enormous health and economic consequences worldwide. It is estimated to cause about 3–5 million cases of serious diseases, and about 250–500,000 deaths each year. 22%–44% of deaths between 2004 and 2011, each season among US pediatric influenza were confirmed to be related with influenza B -- among which 35% were complicated with pneumonia. However, there is limited data on the risk factors for influenza B virus-associated pneumonia in pediatric patients. Identification of risk factors for susceptibility to pneumonia and diagnosis will aid in the early treatment of the disease which in turn will reduce the incidence and mortality rate of pneumonia.
Zhichu Dai, Department of Accident and Emergency, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China, and colleagues conducted a retrospective study of pediatric patients who had been diagnosed with influenza B infection from November 1, 2017, to April 1, 2018, to investigate demographics, clinical characteristics and laboratory findings and to determine the risk factors of influenza B virus-associated pneumonia.
the rate of age group (0–4 years) received oseltamivir within the first 48 hours of onset (P = 0.002), and the rate of age group (5–9 years) received oseltamivir within the first 48 hours of onset (P = 0.014) than the non-pneumonia group.
Between November 1, 2017, and April 1, 2018, a total of 275 patients with influenza B virus infection were hospitalized and monitored. Only 215 patients have complete data, of which 78 patients were adults and 137 patients were <18 years of age.
Key findings of the study include:
· 54 patients (39.4%) with pneumonia were identified.
· No patients died in the period of hospitalization.
· Patients with pneumonia had significant in the day from the onset of symptoms to the emergency department, the rate of received oseltamivir within the first 48 hours of onset.
· The pneumonia group was also significantly higher rate of frequent cough, a higher level of serum CRP.
· No significant difference was observed in the rate of gender, age group, underlying conditions, use of antibiotics before admission and the recent injection of influenza vaccine between the 2 groups.
· BMI, age, symptoms, dose of oseltamivir use per body weight within the first 48 hours of onset and other laboratories findings, except serum CRP level, were similar in both groups.
"In conclusion, received oseltamivir within the first 48 hours of onset was a protective factor, while frequent cough was a risk factor for the influenza B virus-associated pneumonia in hospitalized pediatric patients," wrote the authors.
The study, "Early Administration of Oseltamivir Within 48 Hours After Onset of Flulike Symptoms Can Reduce the Risk of Influenza B Virus-Associated Pneumonia in Hospitalized Pediatric Patients with Influenza B Virus Infection," is published in the Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal.
