Rapid increase in use of antiviral therapy for hospitalized children with influenza during the 2009 H1N1 epidemic

Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2011 Oct;30(10):895-7. doi: 10.1097/INF.0b013e3182214e28.

Abstract

We used the Pediatric Health Information System to examine annual trends in antiviral prescribing for hospitalized children with influenza before and during the 2009 H1N1 epidemic. During the 2009 H1N1 epidemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued recommendations advising antiviral therapy for all hospitalized patients with influenza infection. Before the 2009 H1N1 outbreak, antivirals were prescribed for only 28% of hospitalized children with influenza. This increased sharply to 84% during the 2009 H1N1 period, indicating a favorable response by physicians to clinical guidelines.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Child
  • Child, Hospitalized
  • Child, Preschool
  • Drug Utilization / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / isolation & purification*
  • Influenza, Human / drug therapy*
  • Influenza, Human / epidemiology*
  • Male
  • Pandemics*

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents