During that time, 3.5 per 100,000 children were hospitalized,
most younger than 6 months, the researchers noted. Most of these
children (67 percent) suffered from other health problems as
well as the flu. Nearly 60 percent had pneumonia, 27 percent
were admitted to an intensive care unit and 3 percent died,
Louie's group found. "Overall, rates of hospitalization in this
case series were similar to seasonal influenza, with infants
under 12 months of age having the highest rates," Louie said.
Sixty-nine percent were treated with antiviral drugs, the study
authors reported. "Children who had a positive rapid test or who
were treated with antivirals early in their illness were less
likely to require intensive care unit admission or die," Louie
said. Intensive care hospitalization and death were more likely
among children with heart disease, cerebral palsy or
developmental problems, the authors added. Hispanic and black
children were less likely to die or need intensive care than
white children, Louie's team said.