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Influenza in the neonatal intensive care unit

Journal of Perinatology volume 26, pages 772–776 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

Influenza has historically been an uncommon illness in the newborn period, although epidemic outbreaks in neonatal intensive care units have been described. There is currently significant concern about the possibility of a new pandemic of influenza in the near future. During a pandemic neonates are likely to be exposed, with significant illness more likely in pre-term newborns due to reduced levels of passively transferred protective maternal antibodies. While newer therapies have been shown to be effective in reducing the severity of illness in adults and children, such therapies are untried in neonates. Supportive care and measures to contain and prevent spread of infection may well be the most important measures in the event of a neonate acquiring influenza, including the avian variety.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Jacqui Keene for help with image preparation. This study was undertaken at the Neonatal Unit, Mercy Hospital for Women, Melbourne, Australia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neonatal Unit, Mercy Hospital for Women, Melbourne, Australia

    D J Wilkinson & C C Andersen

  2. NHMRC Centre for Clinical Research Excellence in Child and Adolescent Immunisation, Melbourne, Australia

    J P Buttery

  3. Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia

    J P Buttery

  4. Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia

    J P Buttery

  5. Department of General Medicine, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia

    J P Buttery

Authors
  1. D J Wilkinson
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  3. C C Andersen
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to D J Wilkinson.

Additional information

Duality of Interests: JPB has performed clinical vaccine trials with vaccine manufacturers including Sanofi-Pasteur, Wyeth, GlaxoSmithKline, CSL and MedImmune while working for the Universities of Melbourne and Oxford and the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute. He has been supported by vaccine companies for travel to scientific meetings. All honoraria for consultancies are paid to an educational fund held by the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute. The remaining authors do not have any duality of interests.

Funding support: No financial support was used in the preparation of this paper.

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Wilkinson, D., Buttery, J. & Andersen, C. Influenza in the neonatal intensive care unit. J Perinatol 26, 772–776 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211625

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