Oseltamivir Prevents Complications of Influenza in High-Risk Children

In a manufacturer-sponsored study, investigators examined the effects of oseltamivir on influenza-related complications in children with chronic diseases. Using an administrative claims database, the investigators compared outcomes in 1634 children who received an oseltamivir prescription within 1 day of influenza diagnosis and 3721 children who did not receive antiviral therapy after influenza diagnosis. All children (age range, 1–17 years) were considered to be at high risk for complications because of a chronic disease (including HIV/AIDS, asthma, cancer) and received diagnoses of influenza between the 2000 and 2006 flu seasons.

During the 14 days after influenza diagnosis, children who received oseltamivir were less likely than those who…