Epidemiological Characteristics Of Influenza Virus Infections In Pediatric Patients In The 2023-2024 Fall-Winter Season; A Tertiary Hospital Experience In Turkiye

AIM: In our study, we aimed to determine the risk factors for hospitalization and mortality in pediatric patients followed up with influenza diagnosis, to determine the vaccination rates with influenza vaccine and to evaluate the results. BACKGROUND: Influenza A and influenza B viruses cause serious epidemics in humans and are the main causes of viral morbidity and mortality worldwide. Disease rates vary from year to year and it is estimated that 5–10% of adults and 20–30% of children are infected with influenza virus annually, causing 250,000-500,000 deaths and 3–5 million severe cases annually. There is very little data from Turkiye, especially for pediatric patients. METHODS: The study included 72 children under the age of 18 who were detected positive by influenza polymerase chain reaction(PCR) test at the Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Istanbul University between October 2023-May 2024. Demographic and clinical data such as age, presenting symptoms and complaints, comorbidities, disease severity, and vaccination status were retrospectively examined from patient files. RESULTS: None of the patients had received influenza vaccination. Mortality was observed in only one patient. Patients’ 55% were male(n=40), mean age was 4.73±4.11 years. Patients without comorbidity were younger(p=0.025). Patients with coinfection were significantly younger(p=0.045). CRP positivity was higher in children infected with influenza B(p=0.025). Influenza B infected patients were older(p=0.003). Antibiotic use was higher in those with leukopenia than in those with leukocytosis(p=0.042). CONCLUSION: Lack of vaccination remains the greatest risk factor for disease in children. New ideas and studies are needed to increase vaccination.