Novel influenza a (H1N1) infection in a Pediatric Hematology Oncology Clinic during the 2009-2010 pandemia

Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2011 May;28(4):288-93. doi: 10.3109/08880018.2010.550986. Epub 2011 Mar 17.

Abstract

Pandemic influenza A infection (2009 H1N1) was associated with a worldwide outbreak of febrile respiratory infection. Although usually it results in a mild illness, certain patient groups are at increased risk for complications. The authors reviewed their experience in a pediatric hematology-oncology unit to determine the outcome of this disease in children with hematological conditions and solid tumors. During the second outbreak (1 November 2009 to 14 January 2010), a total of 187 children from pediatric clinic were tested for H1N1 influenza A by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR), 63 of them were positive. Patients' signs and symptoms were recorded prospectively. Ten (35.7%) (5 children with solid tumors, 4 with leukemia, 1 with hereditary spherocytosis) of 28 tested children with hematological conditions were diagnosed with 2009 H1N1 influenza infection. Fever (100%) and cough (90%) were the most common symptoms. Five were neutropenic (neutrophil count <1000/mm(3)), 4 had severe neutropenia (neutrophil count <500/mm(3)). Systemic antibiotics were given in 5 patients with the diagnosis of febrile neutropenia. Four were inpatients, others were hospitalized after the diagnosis. One patient required mechanical ventilation; however, he had concomitant invasive fungal infection. Eight patients were treated by oseltamivir, all tolerated the drug well. A total of 4 cases from 9 cancer patients had a delay in their planned chemotherapy for 7 to 15 days. Pandemic H1N1 influenza caused mild symptoms in children with cancer and/or hematological conditions but resulted in delay in anticancer therapy and increase in hospitalization and antibiotic usage.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hematologic Neoplasms / complications*
  • Hematologic Neoplasms / therapy
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype* / genetics
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype* / isolation & purification
  • Influenza, Human / complications*
  • Influenza, Human / diagnosis
  • Influenza, Human / drug therapy
  • Influenza, Human / virology*
  • Male
  • Medical Oncology
  • Pandemics
  • Pediatrics
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Turkey