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Objective To determine the clinical characteristics of infants <=2 months old hospitalised with influenza A. Study design The study was a retrospective analysis of infants <=2 months old hospitalised with fever, respiratory distress and/or sepsis. Clinical signs, laboratory values, hospital duration and outcome were compared between children with influenza A and other viruses. Results The charts of 268 infants were reviewed. 29 (11%) children had laboratory-confirmed influenza A infection. Unique features associated with influenza infection included the high number presenting with fever (97%) and a history of exposure to family members with a flu-like illness (69%). A significantly lower rate of respiratory distress was observed in the influenza group compared with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (24% vs 89%, p<=0.001). Median duration of hospitalisation for influenza was shorter than RSV (4 days vs 6 days, p<0.001). Conclusions In young infants, influenza A is a relatively mild disease compared to RSV and is primarily associated with upper respiratory tract manifestations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pancytopenia after intramuscular iron-dextran treatment occurred in an infant with Down's syndrome. Haematological abnormalities recurred on subsequent challenge. Positive migration inhibiting factor and mast cell degranulation tests support an allergic pathogenesis for the pancytopenia. These side effects have not been reported previously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared.