Influenza-associated paediatric respiratory hospitalizations in China, 1996–2012: a systematic analysis

Authors

  • Mei Shang China-US Collaborative Program on Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China; Influenza Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
  • Kathryn Lafond Influenza Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
  • Jeffrey McFarland China-US Collaborative Program on Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China; Influenza Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
  • Suizan Zhou China-US Collaborative Program on Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China; Influenza Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
  • John Klena China-US Collaborative Program on Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
  • Marc-Alain Widdowson Influenza Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5365/wpsar.2018.9.1.004

Abstract

Background: The World Health Organization recommends that children aged >= 6 months be vaccinated against influenza. Influenza vaccination policies depend on the evidence of the burden of influenza, yet few national data on influenza-associated severe outcomes among children exist in China.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review of articles published from 1996 to 2012 on laboratory-confirmed, influenza-associated paediatric respiratory hospitalizations in China. We extracted data and stratified the percentage of samples testing positive for influenza by age group (< 2, < 5 and < 18 years old); case definition; test methods; and geographic location. The pooled percentage of samples testing positive for influenza was estimated with a random effects regression model.

Results: Influenza was associated with 8.8% of respiratory hospitalizations among children aged < 18 years, ranging from 7.0% (95% confidence interval: 4.2–9.8%) in children aged < 2 years to 8.9% (95% confidence interval: 6.8–11%) in children aged < 5 years. The percentage of samples testing positive for influenza was consistently higher among studies with data from children aged < 5 years and < 18 years than those restricted only to children aged < 2 years; the percentages were higher in Northern China than Southern China.

Discussion: Influenza is an important cause of paediatric respiratory hospitalizations in China. Influenza vaccination of school-aged children could prevent substantial influenza-associated illness, including hospitalizations, in China.

Author Biography

Mei Shang, China-US Collaborative Program on Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China; Influenza Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA

National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases

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Published

09-10-2018

How to Cite

1.
Shang M, Lafond K, McFarland J, Zhou S, Klena J, Widdowson M-A. Influenza-associated paediatric respiratory hospitalizations in China, 1996–2012: a systematic analysis. Western Pac Surveill Response J [Internet]. 2018 Oct. 9 [cited 2026 Mar. 22];9(5). Available from: https://ojs.wpro.who.int/ojs/index.php/wpsar/article/view/593

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 5 (2018): Suppl 1 Centennial Influenza Pandemic

Section

Original Research

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