Frequency and clinical characteristics of influenza in children under 18 years old hospitalized with an initial diagnosis of pneumonia in the pediatric intensive care unit of Shahid Motahari Hospital, Urmia (2022-2024)

Salavatizadeh, oahammad; Valizadeh, Mohammad; Barazandeh, Bahram

doi:10.48307/FMSJ.2025.29.6.11

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Volume 29, Issue 6 (Bimonthly 2025)

Feyz Med Sci J 2025, 29(6): 659-667

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Frequency and clinical characteristics of influenza in children under 18 years old hospitalized with an initial diagnosis of pneumonia in the pediatric intensive care unit of Shahid Motahari Hospital, Urmia (2022-2024)

Oahammad Salavatizadeh

, Mohammad Valizadeh ^*

, Bahram Barazandeh

Nephrology and Kidney Transplant Research Center, Clinical Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran , mohammad_k_v@yahoo.com

Abstract: (455 Views)

Background and Aim: Influenza is a significant cause of severe pneumonia in children and one of the most common reasons for admission to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). This study aimed to determine the prevalence, seasonal pattern, clinical manifestations, and outcomes of influenza-associated pneumonia among children hospitalized at Shahid Motahari Hospital in Urmia from 2022 to 2024.
Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, the medical records of all children under 18 years old hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of pneumonia in the PICU from 2022 to 2024 (n=542) were reviewed. Demographic data, season of admission, clinical symptoms, length of stay, therapeutic interventions, and final outcome (discharge or death) were extracted. Chi-square tests and logistic regression were used to analyze associations.
Results: Among the total patients, 59 (10.9%) were diagnosed with influenza-associated pneumonia. The majority of cases occurred during the cold autumn and winter seasons (P = 0.043). Cough (8.6%) and dyspnea (6.3%) were the most common clinical manifestations. According to the regression model, these two symptoms were significant clinical indicators for diagnosing influenza pneumonia (P = 0.05). The mean length of hospital stays in the influenza group (16.9 ± 11.3 days) and the mortality rate (28.8%) were higher compared to other pneumonias, although these differences were not statistically significant.
Conclusion: Influenza is a common cause of severe pneumonia in the PICU. Despite sometimes nonspecific initial presentations, it can lead to a longer clinical course and higher mortality. Active screening for influenza during epidemic seasons and timely initiation of antiviral therapy in children hospitalized with pneumonia may improve the management of these patients and potentially modify their outcomes.

Keywords: Influenza, Pneumonia, Children, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), Epidemiology

Full-Text [PDF 428 kb] (44 Downloads)

Type of Study: Research | Subject: medicine, paraclinic
Received: 2025/10/7 | Revised: 2026/01/7 | Accepted: 2025/11/29 | Published: 2025/12/30

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Salavatizadeh O, Valizadeh M, Barazandeh B. Frequency and clinical characteristics of influenza in children under 18 years old hospitalized with an initial diagnosis of pneumonia in the pediatric intensive care unit of Shahid Motahari Hospital, Urmia (2022-2024). Feyz Med Sci J 2025; 29 (6) :659-667
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