Impact of the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus pandemic on the emergency department of a tertiary hospital

• Published in: Anales de pediatría (Barcelona, Spain : 2003) Spain : 2003), 2011-07, Vol.75 (1), p.13-20
• Main Authors: Lera Carballo, E, Wörner, N T, Sancosmed Ron, M, Fàbregas Martori, A, Casquero Cossío, A, Cebrián Rubio, R
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• Subjects: Child; Child, Preschool; Emergency Service, Hospital; Female; Hospitals; Humans; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; Influenza, Human - epidemiology; Male; Pandemics; Prospective Studies
• ISSN: 1695-9531
• DOI: 10.1016/j.anpedi.2011.01.006

The 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus infection pandemic was an important challenge for public health systems worldwide. A prospective study including all patients with an influenza-like illness, with microbiological criteria for 2009 H1N1 virus, from July to December 2009 seen in the paediatric emergency department. Viral testing was performed using multiplex real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). We analysed the number of visits to, and hospital admissions from, our emergency department. We compared patients with laboratory-confirmed 2009 H1N1 virus with non-confirmed ones. A total of 1144 patients with microbiological criteria were identified. Of these, 513 (44.8%) were admitted to hospital, 12 of them (1%) to the PICU and 3 (0.3%) died. The majority of the patients (824; 72%) had some underlying medical condition. Of the 1144 patients, 412 (36%) had RT-PCR confirmed 2009 H1N1 infection, and 732 (64%) were not confirmed. The mean age of patients with 2009 H1N1 infection was higher than those not infected (median age: 7.4 vs 4.1 years; p