Infection by influenza A virus in preterm newborn infants

Influenza A virus, a cause of annual epidemics of acute respiratory disease, is responsible for substantial morbidity and mortality in all age groups, especially in young children and those with chronic diseases. We emphasize the importance of early detection and recognition of viral infections to prevent outbreaks in neonatal intensive care units. Here we describe two cases of pneumonia by influenza A virus in preterm newborn infants admitted to the authors' neonatal intensive care unit in the fall of 2000. Both neonates had severe respiratory failure and were treated successfully with amantadine. Specific examinations for respiratory viruses were performed in nasopharyngeal secretions by indirect immunofluorescence assay and viral culture. Some patients with viral respiratory infection can present a severe and prolonged clinical picture, mainly when the influenza virus attacks preterm newborn infants. Amantadine treatment might have shortened the clinical course and hospitalization time in these cases.