ENVIRONMENTAL RISK FACTORS FOR INFLUENZA AH1N1 AMONG CHILDREN IN SOUTH-EAST ROMANIA

The study purpose was to assess the strategies for preventing the environmental conditions and further preventive measures for influenza AH1N1 in children. Retrospective study was carried out among patients less than 18-year old with influenza symptoms hospitalised between November 1st, 2009 and April 31st, 2013, in Constanta Clinical Infectious Diseases Hospital. Patients were analysed by demographic characteristics with respect to underlying medical conditions. Influenza B virus was reported in 16 cases and AH1N1 type in rest of 106 and, particularly, in urban area (83% versus 37.5%; odd ratio (OR) = 8.15; 2.33 < OR < 29.5; CI 95%; relative risk (RR) = 2.21; 1.17 < RR < 4.19; p < 0.00006). The prevalence of A influenza increased according to age, 71.4% among kinder garden children, 87.8% in primary school aged children, and 93.4% in high school students. The median age of 122 patients was 14 +/- 4.528 years. The most common complications were viral myositis (n = 27) and bacterial pneumonia (n = 67), associated with acute respiratory failure (n = 13). Only one death was registered among influenza AH1N1. Influenza AH1N1 illness was more prevalent than B (86.9% versus 13.1%). The identified environmental risks of influenza AH1N1 were urban settings (p < 0.00006), and the absence of vaccination among pupils and their parents (p < 0.03).