Analysis of 12 children with novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infection

Since late March 2009, a novel influenza H1N1 strain emerged in humans in Mexico and the United States. It has rapidly spread to many countries on different continents, prompting unprecedented activation of pandemic preparedness plans. The present study aimed to investigate the characteristics of children with the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infection. Twelve cases with influenza A (H1N1) infection were diagnosed according to the criteria of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of China during 1 May to 15 July 2009 in the Pediatric Hospital of Fudan University were analyzed. Influenza A (H1N1) RNA was detected by RT-PCR in CDC Shanghai China. All the 12 children with the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infection were imported cases, aged from 11 months to 14 years 7 months, 7 of whom were boys, 5 were girls. Five cases contacted closely with influenza A (H1N1) patients; 12 cases had fever and no vomiting or diarrhea; 7 had cough or runny nose or anorexia. One had shortness of breath. Of the 1