UK study shows H1N1 killed 70 children in 9 months

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(Reuters) - Scientists studying swine flu have found that 70 children died from it in England in a 9 month period during the H1N1 pandemic and death rates were worst among ethnic minority children and those with other health problems.

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The findings in England also showed that from 26 June 2009 to 22 March 2010:

* The overall childhood death rate for H1N1 was 6 per million population.

* The rate was highest for children aged under 1 year, at 14 deaths per million population.

* Death rates were higher for Bangladeshi children (47 deaths per million population) and Pakistani children (36) than for white British children (4).

* Of the 70 children who died of H1N1, 21 percent were previously healthy and 64 percent had severe pre-existing disorders.

* Overall, 45 of the children had received the antiviral flu drug oseltamivir, sold under the brand name Tamiflu, but only seven had had it within 48 hours of the onset of their symptoms and only three had it before they were admitted to hospital.

* Only two of the children who died had received an H1N1 vaccine -- too late for it to be effective.

(Editing by Steve Addison)

http://in.reuters.com/article/idINTRE69P5DX20101026

 

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Re: UK study shows H1N1 killed 70 children in 9 months

The Lancet, Early Online Publication, 27 October 2010
doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(10)61195-6Cite or Link Using DOI
Paediatric mortality related to pandemic influenza A H1N1 infection in England: an observational population-based study
Original Text
Nabihah Sachedina MBBS a, Prof Liam J Donaldson MD a b Corresponding AuthorEmail Address


Background
Young people (aged 0?18 years) have been disproportionately affected by pandemic influenza A H1N1 infection. We aimed to analyse paediatric mortality to inform clinical and public health policies for future influenza seasons and pandemics.
Methods
All paediatric deaths related to pandemic influenza A H1N1 infection from June 26, 2009, to March 22, 2010 in England were identified through daily reporting systems and cross-checking of records and were validated by confirmation of influenza infection by laboratory results or death certificates. Clinicians responsible for each individual child provided detailed information about past medical history, presentation, and clinical course of the acute illness. Case estimates of influenza A H1N1 were obtained from the Health Protection Agency. The primary outcome measures were population mortality rates and case-fatality rates.
Findings
70 paediatric deaths related to pandemic influenza A H1N1 were reported. Childhood mortality rate was 6 per million population. The rate was highest for children aged less than 1 year. Mortality rates were higher for Bangladeshi children (47 deaths per million population [95% CI 17?103]) and Pakistani children (36 deaths per million population [18?64]) than for white British children (4 deaths per million [3?6]). 15 (21%) children who died were previously healthy; 45 (64%) had severe pre-existing disorders. The highest age-standardised mortality rate for a pre-existing disorder was for chronic neurological disease (1536 per million population). 19 (27%) deaths occurred before inpatient admission. Children in this subgroup were significantly more likely to have been healthy or had only mild pre-existing disorders than those who died after admission (p=0?0109). Overall, 45 (64%) children had received oseltamivir: seven within 48 h of symptom onset.
Interpretation
Vaccination priority should be for children at increased risk of severe illness or death from influenza. This group might include those with specified pre-existing disorders and those in some ethnic minority groups. Early pre-hospital supportive and therapeutic care is also important.
Funding
Department of Health, UK


http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(10)61195-6/fulltext