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Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2017 Mar 31;14(4). pii: E360. doi: 10.3390/ijerph14040360.
Severe Pneumonia Caused by Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Successfully Managed with Extracorporeal Life Support in a Comorbid Former Preterm Infant.
Raffaeli G1, Cavallaro G2, Pugni L3, Leva E4, Artoni A5, Neri S6, Baracetti C7, Cotza M8, Gentilino V9, Terranova L10, Esposito S11,12, Mosca F13.
Author information
Abstract
Influenza A (H1N1) virus infection is a global health burden, leading to significant pediatric morbidity and mortality. Prematurity, young age and comorbidities are important risk factors for unfavorable outcomes. Preventive strategies, such as healthcare workers and household contacts vaccination as well as the implementation of infection control practices during the epidemic season, are crucial to protect the most vulnerable populations. Early diagnosis, timely administration of antiviral drugs and supportive therapy are crucial to lead to a complete recovery. When conventional treatment fails, extracorporeal life support (ECLS) may be employed. In neonates and young infants, this high-tech support is burdened by specific technical complexity. Despite the potential risks related to this aggressive approach, ECLS is a life-saving procedure in 65% of pediatric viral pneumonia and in 73% of sepsis cases. Here, we report the successful outcome of a 51-day formerly preterm infant, suffering from a surgical necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), complicated with hospital-acquired pneumonia due to influenza A (H1N1) virus. She developed a severe respiratory failure, unresponsive to conventional therapy, and successfully treated with ECLS. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the use of ECLS in a formerly preterm infant, suffering from NEC complicated by influenza A (H1N1) virus infection.
KEYWORDS:
extracorporeal life support (ECLS); infection control measures; influenza A (H1N1) virus; neonatal intensive care unit; neonate; oseltamivir; pneumonia; preterm infant; young infant
PMID: 28362356 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14040360
Severe Pneumonia Caused by Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Successfully Managed with Extracorporeal Life Support in a Comorbid Former Preterm Infant.
Raffaeli G1, Cavallaro G2, Pugni L3, Leva E4, Artoni A5, Neri S6, Baracetti C7, Cotza M8, Gentilino V9, Terranova L10, Esposito S11,12, Mosca F13.
Author information
Abstract
Influenza A (H1N1) virus infection is a global health burden, leading to significant pediatric morbidity and mortality. Prematurity, young age and comorbidities are important risk factors for unfavorable outcomes. Preventive strategies, such as healthcare workers and household contacts vaccination as well as the implementation of infection control practices during the epidemic season, are crucial to protect the most vulnerable populations. Early diagnosis, timely administration of antiviral drugs and supportive therapy are crucial to lead to a complete recovery. When conventional treatment fails, extracorporeal life support (ECLS) may be employed. In neonates and young infants, this high-tech support is burdened by specific technical complexity. Despite the potential risks related to this aggressive approach, ECLS is a life-saving procedure in 65% of pediatric viral pneumonia and in 73% of sepsis cases. Here, we report the successful outcome of a 51-day formerly preterm infant, suffering from a surgical necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), complicated with hospital-acquired pneumonia due to influenza A (H1N1) virus. She developed a severe respiratory failure, unresponsive to conventional therapy, and successfully treated with ECLS. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the use of ECLS in a formerly preterm infant, suffering from NEC complicated by influenza A (H1N1) virus infection.
KEYWORDS:
extracorporeal life support (ECLS); infection control measures; influenza A (H1N1) virus; neonatal intensive care unit; neonate; oseltamivir; pneumonia; preterm infant; young infant
PMID: 28362356 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14040360