About 90 million children get seasonal flu every year
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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In honor of World Day of Pneumonia (November 12), scientists first published global estimates of seasonal influenza and influenza pneumonia in children under the age of 5 years. The results of the study are published in the journal Lancet. According to scientists, seasonal influenza causes about 90 million children every year, of which 1 million are hospitalized, and almost 11,150 die due to complications of influenza such as pneumonia. 99% of these deaths occur in developing countries.
Unfortunately, in developing countries, most cases of influenza incidence and data on deaths from influenza-associated pneumonia remain unpublished. Therefore, the author of the study, Dr. Harish Nair of the University of Edinburgh (UK) and her team decided to form an International Study Group on the study of the prevalence of influenza among children.
After analyzing 43 studies containing data of about 8 million children, they concluded that approximately 90 million new cases of influenza in children under the age of 5 and with 20 million cases of pneumonia caused by influenza are recorded globally each year. This is approximately 13% of the total number of all pneumonias in pediatric practice or every 8 cases of pneumonia.
According to experts, about 1 million cases of influenza are associated with severe pneumonia, accounting for 7% of the total number of severe cases of pneumonia in children worldwide.
Scientists have found that the levels of morbidity and mortality vary significantly each year. Data to conduct a global assessment of the incidence of influenza by a particular type or subtype of the virus was not sufficient, although it was noted that the incidence of influenza A strain was generally higher than that of influenza B.
In conclusion, the authors say:
"The influenza virus is the most common pathogen that is identified in young children with acute lower respiratory infection (pneumonia) and often leads to hospitalization and death." Our assessments should help the health system develop vaccines and implement other strategies for preventing influenza, especially in developing countries.
While widespread introduction of an effective influenza vaccine is not achievable, however, the use of oxygen therapy to prevent hypoxemia, the treatment with antibiotics of a secondary bacterial infection can significantly reduce the risk of complications and death associated with this disease. "
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