The Determinant of the Severity Who was Hospitalized with Asthma-like Symptoms in Influenza A (H1N1) Season / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The aim of study was to identify the predictors of severe asthma exacerbation with influenza A (H1N1) infection so that intensive care could be initiated immediately. METHODS: Patients were diagnosed influenza A (H1N1), using a real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from the nasal aspirates in St. Mary's Medical Center, Busan, Korea, between September, 2009 and February, 2010. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed to collect data. Data were analyzed in two groups by severity of asthma exacerbation. The groups were severe groups and mild-moderate. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS ver. 12.0. RESULTS: A total of 1,054 children were diagnosed influenza A (H1N1) infection. Of 1,054, 318 (30.1%) were hospitalized. There were 200 boys (62.9%) and median age was 5.0 years (0.1 to 18.0 years). Among hospitalized, 25.2% (80/318) were diagnosed asthma exacerbation. Among 80 patients, 16 (20.0%) were severe group. and 64 (80.0%) were mild-moderate. High leukocyte counts, neutrophil counts, and C-reactive protein (P or =0.05) were not reliable predictors. CONCLUSION: Among who had influenza A (H1N1) infection with asthma-like symptoms, patients who had not been managed asthma before, had high leukocyte, neutrophil, and C-reactive protein in serum, are likely to progress severe asthma exacerbation.