Saha A, Jha N, Dubey NK, Gupta VK, Kalaivani M.
Department of Pediatrics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research and Associated Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, India. drabhijeetsaha@yahoo.com.
BACKGROUND: Swine-origin influenza A H1N1 (S-OIV) has not been systematically studied in Indian children. OBJECTIVES: To study the clinical characteristics, morbidity and mortality pattern in children with S-OIV infection. METHODS: This prospective study was conducted during the 'containment phase' of the pandemic in New Delhi from 10 June to 5 August 2009. All children suspected of being infected by S-OIV were admitted to the isolation wards and clinically evaluated according to WHO guidelines. Nasal and throat swabs were collected immediately for real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Haemoglobin, total leucocyte and platelet counts and chest radiography were undertaken in all patients. Those who tested positive for S-OIV infection were treated with oseltamivir for 5 days in isolation wards. RESULTS: Thirty-seven children fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Twenty-one tested positive for S-OIV by RT-PCR and 16 tested negative. Comparison of the clinical characteristics of the two groups showed that duration of cough was longer in children with S-OIV (p<0.03). Total leucocyte and lymphocyte counts were significantly less in the S-OIV group (p<0.001 and , 0.02, respectively). Oseltamivir-related gastritis was seen in 38% of children. All improved and were discharged. CONCLUSION: S-OIV infection in Indian children had features similar to those of seasonal influenza. Lymphopenia is an important feature of S-OIV.
PMID: 20196934 [PubMed - in process]
Department of Pediatrics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research and Associated Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, India. drabhijeetsaha@yahoo.com.
BACKGROUND: Swine-origin influenza A H1N1 (S-OIV) has not been systematically studied in Indian children. OBJECTIVES: To study the clinical characteristics, morbidity and mortality pattern in children with S-OIV infection. METHODS: This prospective study was conducted during the 'containment phase' of the pandemic in New Delhi from 10 June to 5 August 2009. All children suspected of being infected by S-OIV were admitted to the isolation wards and clinically evaluated according to WHO guidelines. Nasal and throat swabs were collected immediately for real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Haemoglobin, total leucocyte and platelet counts and chest radiography were undertaken in all patients. Those who tested positive for S-OIV infection were treated with oseltamivir for 5 days in isolation wards. RESULTS: Thirty-seven children fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Twenty-one tested positive for S-OIV by RT-PCR and 16 tested negative. Comparison of the clinical characteristics of the two groups showed that duration of cough was longer in children with S-OIV (p<0.03). Total leucocyte and lymphocyte counts were significantly less in the S-OIV group (p<0.001 and , 0.02, respectively). Oseltamivir-related gastritis was seen in 38% of children. All improved and were discharged. CONCLUSION: S-OIV infection in Indian children had features similar to those of seasonal influenza. Lymphopenia is an important feature of S-OIV.
PMID: 20196934 [PubMed - in process]