|
Frequency and Clinical Characteristics of Influenza among Children under 18 Years Hospitalized with Primary Diagnosis of Pneumonia in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of Shahid Motahari Hospital, Urmia (2022–2024)
|
Oahammad Salavatizadeh   , Mohammad Valizadeh * , Bahram Barazandeh |
| Urmia University of Medical Sciences , mohammad_k_v@yahoo.com |
|
|
Abstract: (37 Views) |
Background and Objective: Influenza is a major viral cause of severe pneumonia in children and a leading reason for admission to pediatric intensive care units (PICUs). This study aimed to determine the frequency, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of influenza in children hospitalized with an initial diagnosis of pneumonia at Shahid Motahari Hospital, Urmia, between 2022 and 2024.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive–analytical, cross-sectional, retrospective study included 542 pediatric patients admitted with a primary diagnosis of pneumonia. Inclusion criteria were a confirmed clinical and radiographic diagnosis of pneumonia and availability of influenza diagnostic results (RT-PCR or antigen test).
Exclusion criteria included age ≥18 years, incomplete medical records, or secondary pneumonia developed during hospitalization. Demographic characteristics, season of admission, clinical symptoms, length of stay, therapeutic interventions, and final outcomes were collected and analyzed using Chi-square, Mann–Whitney, and multinomial logistic regression tests.
Results: Of all patients, 59 (10.9%) were diagnosed with influenza. Most influenza cases occurred during autumn and winter (P=0.043). The mean PICU stay for influenza patients was 11.3 ± 9.16 days, which was longer but not statistically significant. Among influenza patients, cough (33.9%) and dyspnea (13.6%) were the most common symptoms. Logistic regression revealed that dyspnea and cough were significant predictors differentiating types of pneumonia (P<0.05). The mortality rate among influenza patients was 28.8%, slightly higher than in non-influenza cases, though not statistically significant (P=0.223).
Conclusion: Although influenza patients often present with milder symptoms at admission, they experience longer hospital stays and a more severe disease course. Rapid diagnostic screening and early antiviral therapy can reduce complications and mortality. |
|
| Keywords: Influenza, Pneumonia, Children, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), Epidemiology |
|
|
|
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
medicine, paraclinic
Received: 2025/10/7 | Revised: 2025/11/29 | Accepted: 2025/11/29
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Send email to the article author |
|
|
|
| Add your comments about this article |
|
|
|
_-_Copy.png)
.png){kind=logo}
