FWT Cheng, CH Li, MMK Shing, DKL Cheuk, JPW Yau, ASC Ling, JYK Yang, CK Li, on behalf of the Hong Kong Paediatric Haematology and Oncology Study Group

Abstract

Objective: The clinical course of hospitalised paediatric oncology patients and haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients with laboratory-confirmed pandemic H1N1 influenza infection were studied. Methods: Data from oncology patients and HSCT recipients with hospitalised laboratory-confirmed pandemic H1N1 influenza infection in Hong Kong were collected. Parameters on initial presentations, clinical course, treatment regimens and outcome were studied. Results: Sixteen patients were studied, the median age was 12.4 years. Fever (100%), cough (75.0%), runny nose (56.3%) and sore throat (50.0%) were the most common presenting symptoms. Antiviral therapy was started at median 1 day after onset of fever. HSCT recipients were more common to require a repeated or prolonged course of antiviral therapy due to persistent respiratory symptoms. Our cohort recovered without severe complications. Conclusion: Fever, cough, runny nose and sore throat were the most common presenting symptoms. HSCT recipients were more likely to develop persistent or recurrent respiratory symptoms and required repeated course of antiviral therapy. The uncomplicated course of pandemic H1N1 infection of paediatric oncology and HSCT recipients might be related to the early initiation of antiviral therapy.