Korean J Pediatr Infect Dis.  2014 Dec;21(3):199-206. 10.14776/kjpid.2014.21.3.199.

Clinical Characteristics of Influenza B Virus in Children and the Efficacy of Oseltamivir: Data from Two University Hospitals

• Youn SE
• Chun JH
• Lee KS
• Rha YH
• Choi SH

• KMID: 2279092
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14776/kjpid.2014.21.3.199

Abstract

PURPOSE
There has been little research regarding the effectiveness of oseltamivir for influenza B infections. We sought to identify the different clinical manifestations between patients treated with and without oseltamivir.
METHODS
We retrospectively studied the medical records of 72 inpatients or outpatients from two medical centers diagnosed with influenza B infections by either a rapid antigen test or multiplex reverse transcriptase PCR between January 2012 and July 2012. We compared gender, age, past medical history, admission period, total fever duration, fever duration after hospitalization, post-oseltamivir medication peak temperature, laboratory test, chest X-ray, antibiotic medication, and the presence of concomitant viral or bacterial infections.
RESULTS
The number of subjects in our study was 72 who were diagnosed with influenza B pneumonia, acute bronchitis, acute bronchiolitis, croup, and mean age was 3.6+/-2.8 year old. The demographic characteristics and clinical manifestations of oseltamivir and the non-oseltamivir groups, including hospitalization period (4.18+/-2.10 vs 4.79+/-1.49 days, P=.17) and total fever duration (5.32+/-2.07 vs 6.41+/-3.25 days, P=.09), demonstrated no significant differences. Notably, the oseltamivir group did have significantly reduced usage of antibiotic treatment than the non-oseltamivir group (P=.04). When we limited our patient group to patients under the age of three, similar results were seen. The group prescribed oseltamivir within 48 hours of fever onset had less antibiotic usage, in addition to a shorter fever duration.
CONCLUSION
Oseltamivir appeared to have no benefit in improving the clinical course. However, if it is prescribed within the first 48 hours of symptoms, it may be more effective.

Keyword

Influenza B virus; Oseltamivir; Child

MeSH Terms

Bacterial Infections
Bronchiolitis
Bronchitis
Child*
Croup
Fever
Hospitalization
Hospitals, University*
Humans
Influenza B virus*
Influenza, Human
Inpatients
Medical Records
Oseltamivir*
Outpatients
Pneumonia
Retrospective Studies
Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
Thorax
Oseltamivir

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1. Monthly Distribution of Children with Influenza B Infections from January, 2012 to July, 2012.

Reference

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