Background: Influenza A (H1N1) is a contagious acute respiratory infection caused a pandemic in 2009. The outcome was variable among populations.
Aim: To describe a clinical spectrum and the outcome of Tunisian children with pandemic H1N1/09 influenza virus.
Methods: This is a retrospective, descriptive study of children with pandemic H1N1/09 influenza virus hospitalized in the children's hospital of tunis, between November 2009 and February 2010. The diagnosis was made on positive rapid test or PCR.
Results: thirty two children were included. The median age was 12 months. The most frequently symptoms were: fever (87,5%), digestive disorders ( 59,4%) and dyspnea (15,6%). The mean length of stay was 3,8 days. The outcome was complicated by a bacterial infection (56,3%), and one death.
Conclusion: Mild form of H1N1/influenza virus is the most common presentation; however severe forms can be observed especially in infants.