Neurological and Neuromuscular Disease as a Risk Factor for Respiratory Failure in Children Hospitalized With Influenza Infection

Abstract

Influenza is a common disease of childhood that is responsible for significant morbidity and health care resource utilization, particularly in young children. Healthy young children are hospitalized for influenza-related illness at rates similar to those for elderly persons and adults with chronic medical conditions.^1-4 Influenza also is responsible for substantial seasonal increases in pediatric outpatient visits for respiratory illnesses.^2,4 Perhaps most concerning to parents and physicians, however, is the potential for serious influenza-associated complications, including carditis, encephalitis, myositis, pneumonia, respiratory failure, and death.^5-8