Abstract
ContextSince the outbreak of COVID-19 in late 2019, the transmission dynamics and clinical presentation patterns of influenza A (Flu A) virus have undergone changes.ObjectivesThis article conducted a comparative analysis in clinical characteristics and laboratory results of pediatric patients with Flu A before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsThe medical records of 885 children hospitalized with Flu A virus infection at a tertiary hospital in Guangdong Province, China, were retrospectively analyzed. Flu A was confirmed in these cases using a direct immunofluorescence antigen assay. The clinical data for this study span from January 1, 2018, to May 31, 2023.ResultsIn our study, we observed a total of 340 cases before the COVID-19 pandemic, 196 cases during the pandemic, and 349 cases after the pandemic. Patients after the pandemic had a higher median age on admission (5.66 years, range 3.41–7.70) and exhibited more respiratory symptoms such as cough, sore throat, and nasal stuffiness. The length of hospital stay was longer, and there was a higher percentage of patients with fever duration ≥ 5 days among Flu A patients during the pandemic. Compared to before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, Flu A patients after the pandemic showed significantly reduced white blood cell (WBC) and platelet (PLT) counts (P < 0.001), along with elevated levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in laboratory indexes (P < 0.001). Furthermore, more hospitalized children after the pandemic were diagnosed with benign acute childhood myositis (BACM).ConclusionOur research results indicates a significant decrease in Flu A cases during the COVID-19 pandemic, and hospitalized children with Flu A have more severe clinical symptoms after the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings have implications for public health policy and clinical management of Flu A cases.Clinical trial numberNot applicable.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callSimilar Papers
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
