Nihon rinsho. Japanese journal of clinical medicine
-
Pandemic influenza H1N1 2009 caused more severe diseases in children and young adults than seasonal influenza. The typical manifestation of severe diseases was diffuse viral pneumonia complicated with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Over half of the severe cases had underlying conditions, in which pregnancy and morbid obesity were regarded as major risk factors. ⋯ The level of plasma cytokines was also elevated in the severe cases. Antiviral use was generally recommended for the severe cases and might improve the outcomes. Further studies are needed for better clinical management of the severe cases of the latest pandemic influenza.
-
Newborns should be considered to be at high risk of developing complications of novel influenza like pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009, because maternal antibodies are not transferred via crossing the placenta. In Japan, some newborns with pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 appeared non-specific symptoms, such as fever, poor activity and sucking, and apnea. ⋯ Orally oseltamivir(3-4 mg/kg/dose twice a day for 5 days) was used for treatments of flu-infected newborns. Contact and droplet precautions were very important measures to prevent transmission of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 virus to newborns.