Influenza Profile on Otherwise Healthy Children Hospitalized in a District Hospital over Winter Season 2018-2019 in Greece

Background: Influenza cases profile is of epidemiologic interest in order to take measures controlling infection spread and reducing severe morbidity and mortality. In Greece epidemiologic influenza surveillance is contacted by the Hellenic Center for Diseases Control and Prevention HCDCP.

Aim: To study influenza like episodes in pediatric patients admitted during winter period 2018-2019 in a District General Hospital, Athens Greece, which serves 1.500.000 inhabitants.

Materials and Methods: Retrospective analysis of influenza like cases admitted in children’s ward during winter 2018-2019. Outcome measures included virus type, main symptoms, complications, sex, ethnicity and the presence of other children at home.

Results: During January-March 2018-2019, n=61 children hospitalized with febrile respiratory tract infection, RTI. Influenza virus confirmed in 23/61 (37.7%), 13/23 boys (56.52%) and 10/23 girls (43.47%). Greek nationality had 17/23 (73.91 %). No siblings at home reported in 13.05% (3/23), two and three in 43.47% (10/23) and in 30.43% (7/23) respectively and four in 13.05% (3/23). Type A influenza virus identified in 21/23 (91%) and type B in 2/23 (9%). Fever >39.5^oC had 17/23 children (73.91%) and <39.5^o 6/23 (26.08%). Rhinitis with couphing had 86.95% (20/23) cases, vomiting 13.04% (3/23), diarhoea 8.69% (2/23) and limp walking 4.34% (1/23). Main complications were pneumonia (4/23, 17.39%), the remaining being myositis, dehydration, neutropenia in one case respectively.

Conclusions: One out of three children hospitalized with febrile RTI during influenza period were identified as influenza illness. Main virus type was A. Having none or two many siblings seemed to be a favorable protective factor.