Estimating Influenza Hospitalizations among Children

Two surveillance systems gave a better estimate of influenza hospitalizations in children <5 years of age than either system alone

Human rhinovirus species associated with hospitalizations for acute respiratory illness in young US children

Background: The contribution of human rhinovirus (HRV) to severe acute respiratory illness (ARI) is unclear.Objective: To assess the association between HRV species detection and ARI hospitalizations.Methods: Children (ie, respiratory syncytial virus, human metapneumovirus, parainfluenza virus, and influenza virus) by reverse-transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and genetic sequencing identified HRV species and types. HRV species detection was compared between controls and patients hospitalized during months in which controls were enrolled.Results: A total of 1867 children with 1947 ARI hospitalizations and 784 controls with 790 clinic visits were enrolled and tested for HRV. The HRV-A detection rate among participants ≥24 months old was 8.1% in the hospitalized group and 2.2% in the control group (P = .009), and the HRV-C detection rates among those ≥6 months old were 8.2% and 3.9%, respectively (P = .002); among younger children, the detection rates for both species were similar between groups. The HRV-B detection rate was ≤1%. A broad diversity of HRV types was observed in both groups. Clinical presentations were similar among HRV species. Compared with children infected with other viruses, children with HRV detected were similar for severe hospital outcomes and more commonly had histories or diagnoses of asthma or wheezing.Conclusions: HRV-A and HRV-C were associated with ARI hospitalization and serious illness outcomes

Adherence to guidelines for respiratory syncytial virus immunoprophylaxis among infants with prematurity or chronic lung disease in three United States counties

Among infants with prematurity and/or chronic lung disease for whom respiratory syncytial virus immunoprophylaxis is recommended, we examined adherence in infants enrolled during healthcare visits for acute respiratory illness in 3 U.S. counties from 2001 to 2007. Immunoprophylaxis among infants who met national criteria for prophylaxis increased from 33% to 83% over the 6-year period; 17% (11/65) of infants who received immunoprophylaxis did not meet eligibility criteria

Adherence to Guidelines for Respiratory Syncytial Virus Immunoprophylaxis Among Infants With Prematurity or Chronic Lung Disease in Three United States Counties

Among infants with prematurity and/or chronic lung disease for whom respiratory syncytial virus immunoprophylaxis is recommended, we examined adherence in infants enrolled during healthcare visits for acute respiratory illness in 3 US counties from 2001 to 2007. Immunoprophylaxis among infants who met national criteria for prophylaxis increased from 33% to 83% over the 6-year period; 17% (11/65) of infants who received immunoprophylaxis did not meet eligibility criteria