Outcomes in Hospitalized Infants with 2009 Pandemic Influenza A Infection

Researchers reviewed the charts of all 73 hospitalized infants younger than 6 months (median age, 48 days; 57% <60 days) with laboratory-confirmed (60%) or probable H1N1 influenza A infection at Children's Medical Center Dallas from April 2009 to March 2010. Nearly all infants (92%) were admitted because of fever and respiratory abnormalities. About half the cohort received an intravenous fluid bolus, 81% received antibiotics, 63% discontinued antibiotic within 48 hours, and 84% received antiviral therapy (primarily oseltamivir). The median length of stay was 2 days.

Bacterial coinfections, most commonly urinary tract infections or pneumonia, were identified in 10 infants. One infant had meningitis due to Escherichia coli, and one had bacter…