Influenza-Associated Deaths among Children in the United States, 2003–2004

During the 2003–2004 influenza season in the United States, 153 influenza-associated deaths were reported in children (median age, three years). Fifty-three percent of the children had a condition conferring a high risk of influenza or had another chronic condition, and 47 percent were classified as “previously healthy.” Infants younger than six months of age had the highest mortality rate. Improvements in vaccination, diagnosis, and treatment should be given high priority in the effort to reduce childhood mortality from influenza. During the 2003–2004 influenza season in the United States, 153 influenza-associated deaths were reported in children. Infants younger than six months of age had the highest mortality rate. It has been estimated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that more than 200,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths attributable to influenza occur annually in the United States. 1 , 2 Although most influenza-related deaths occur among elderly persons, rates of influenza-related hospitalization among young children are similar to those among the elderly. 3 – 5 Each year an estimated average of 92 influenza-related deaths occur among U.S. residents younger than five years of age, 2 but the clinical features of such deaths have been described in only a few cases, 6 – 8 and national data concerning pediatric mortality associated with laboratory-confirmed influenza have . . .