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. 2013 Nov;132(5):796-804.
doi: 10.1542/peds.2013-1493. Epub 2013 Oct 28.

Influenza-associated pediatric deaths in the United States, 2004-2012

Karen K Wong  1 , Seema Jain, Lenee Blanton, Rosaline Dhara, Lynnette Brammer, Alicia M Fry, Lyn Finelli
Affiliations

Influenza-associated pediatric deaths in the United States, 2004-2012

Karen K Wong et al. Pediatrics. 2013 Nov.

Abstract

Background: Influenza-associated deaths in children occur annually. We describe the epidemiology of influenza-associated pediatric deaths from the 2004-2005 through the 2011-2012 influenza seasons.

Methods: Deaths in children <18 years of age with laboratory-confirmed influenza virus infection were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by using a standard case report form to collect data on demographic characteristics, medical conditions, clinical course, and laboratory results. Characteristics of children with no high-risk medical conditions were compared with those of children with high-risk medical conditions.

Results: From October 2004 through September 2012, 830 pediatric influenza-associated deaths were reported. The median age was 7 years (interquartile range: 1-12 years). Thirty-five percent of children died before hospital admission. Of 794 children with a known medical history, 43% had no high-risk medical conditions, 33% had neurologic disorders, and 12% had genetic or chromosomal disorders. Children without high-risk medical conditions were more likely to die before hospital admission (relative risk: 1.9; 95% confidence interval: 1.6-2.4) and within 3 days of symptom onset (relative risk: 1.6; 95% confidence interval: 1.3-2.0) than those with high-risk medical conditions.

Conclusions: Influenza can be fatal in children with and without high-risk medical conditions. These findings highlight the importance of recommendations that all children should receive annual influenza vaccination to prevent influenza, and children who are hospitalized, who have severe illness, or who are at high risk of complications (age <2 years or with medical conditions) should receive antiviral treatment as early as possible.

Keywords: influenza; mortality; pediatric; surveillance.

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Conflict of interest statement

POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST: The authors have indicated they have no potential conflicts of interest to disclose.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Number of influenza-associated pediatric deaths by month of death (N = 830): United States, October 2004 through September 2012.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Influenza-associated pediatric deaths (N = 830) by month of death and influenza season: United States, October 2004 through September 2012.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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