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Burden of influenza in healthy children and their households
  1. N Principi1,
  2. S Esposito1,
  3. R Gasparini2,
  4. P Marchisio1,
  5. P Crovari2,
  6. for the Flu-Flu Study Group*
  1. 1Institute of Paediatrics, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
  2. 2Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
  1. Correspondence to:
    Nicola Principi
    Institute of Paediatrics, University of Milan, Via Commenda 9, 20122 Milan, Italy; Nicola.Principiunimi.it

Abstract

Objective: A prospective, multicentre study was conducted to evaluate the burden of laboratory confirmed influenza in healthy children and their household contacts.

Methods: The patients were enrolled in four emergency departments (EDs) and by five primary care paediatricians (PCPs) in different Italian municipalities 2 days a week between November 1, 2001 and April 30, 2002. The study involved 3771 children less than 14 years of age with no chronic medical conditions who presented with a respiratory tract infection in EDs or PCP outpatient clinics during the study period. Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected for the isolation of influenza viruses and RNA detection. Information was also collected concerning respiratory illnesses and related morbidities among the study children and their household contacts.

Results: Influenza virus was demonstrated in 352 cases (9.3%). In comparison with the influenza negative children, those who were influenza positive had an older mean age, were more often attending day care centres or schools, more frequently experienced fever and croup, received more antipyretics, and had a longer duration of fever and school absence. Furthermore, their parents and siblings had more respiratory illnesses, received more antipyretics and antibiotics, needed more medical visits, missed more work or school days, and needed help at home to care for the ill children for a longer period of time.

Conclusions: Influenza has a significant clinical and socioeconomic impact on healthy children and their families. Prevention strategies should also focus on healthy children regardless of their age because of their role in disease transmission.

  • ED, emergency department
  • PCP, primary care paediatrician
  • PCR, polymerase chain reaction
  • RT, reverse transcription
  • RTI, respiratory tract infection
  • influenza
  • pharmacoeconomics
  • prevention
  • respiratory tract infections
  • vaccine

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Footnotes

  • In addition to the authors, the other investigators in the Flu-Flu Study Group are: C Bianchi, A Zollo, Wyeth-Lederle Vaccines, Rome; S Bosis, S Gironi, L Lambertini, R Droghetti, L Claut, Institute of Paediatrics, University of Milan, Milan; S Contos, P Durando, P Morelli, L Sticchi, I Sticchi, Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa; F Tancredi, L Tarallo, Paediatric Unit, Ospedale Santissima Annunziata, Naples; A Vierucci, C Azzari, Paediatric Department III, University of Florence, Florence; P Di Pietro, P Gianiorio, Gaslini Hospital, Genoa; L Bossi, E Ballerini, M Picciotti, Primary Care Paediatricians, Milan; L Carozzini, R Jamone, Primary Care Paediatricians, Genoa.

  • This study was supported in part by a grant from Wyeth-Lederle Vaccines, Italy.

  • No author has a commercial or other association that might pose a conflict of interest.

  • Presented in part at the 42nd Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, San Diego (CA), 27–30 September 2002, and at the 3rd World Congress of Pediatric Infectious Diseases – WSPID, Santiago (Chile), 19–23 November 2002.

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