A Comparison between the Presentation of Confirmed Influenza A/H1N1/2009 Virus Infection and Influenza Like Illness among Children Admitted at Queen Alia Military Hospital

Objectives: To describe the clinical characteristics of children who were hospitalized with respiratory infections during the year 2009 at Queen Alia Military Hospital in Amman and to compare features of confirmed influenza A/H1N1/ 2009 virus infections with features of Influenza-like illness. Methods: Hospitalized children under the age of 14 years with respiratory infections during the year 2009, with influenza A/H1N1/ virus infection were studied. All were tested with Real Time Polymerase-Chain-Reaction (RT-PCR) assay for Influenza A/H1N1/ 2009 virus and chest radiography was done on admission. All were treated with Oseltamivir on admission till the laboratory results were available. Results: During the study period, there were 77 admissions with respiratory infection. Only one death occurred. Forty-four (57%) were males, 44 had positive RT-PCR for influenza A/H1N1/2009 virus and 33(43%) tested negative and were considered, to have influenza-like illness. Comparing patients who had confirmed influenza A/H1N1/2009, to those with influenza-like illness, revealed that the mean age was 51 months versus 42 months. Underlying medical conditions were present in 70% versus 48% (p 0.05). Vomiting affected 25% versus 18% (p>0.05). Diarrhea occurred in 34% versus 21% (p>0.05). Three patients had hematuria and one had croup, all were in the positively tested group. The patient that died had neurological disability and was tested positive for the infection. Conclusion: Influenza A/H1N1/ 2009 caused significant illness requiring hospitalization. When compared to patients with influenza-like illness, patients with influenza A/H1N1/2009 infections, were older, significantly more patients had dyspnoea, radiologically confirmed pneumonia and an underlying medical condition. Gastrointestinal symptoms were more common in patients with confirmed influenza A/H1N1/ 2009 infection, but the difference was not statistically significant.