Incidence, Complications, and Risk Factors for Prolonged Stay in Children Hospitalized With Community-Acquired Influenza

Abstract

Influenza is a common cause of hospitalization among both healthy and chronically ill children. Children with cardiac or neurologic/neuromuscular disease are at increased risk of prolonged hospitalization; therefore, children with these conditions and their contacts should be a high priority to receive vaccine. The impact on pediatric hospitalization of the new recommendation to vaccinate all children 6 months to < 5 years old should be assessed.