CGPH FACULTY: Eva Harris
DATE OF PUBLICATION: September 2015
REGION: Latin America
REFERENCE: Gresh L, Kuan G, Sanchez N, Azziz-Baumgartner E, Ojeda S, Melendez M, Lopez R, Martin ET, Widdowson MA, Bresee J, Harris E, Balmaseda A, Gordon A. Burden of Influenza and Influenza-Associated Pneumonia in the First Year of Life in a Prospective Cohort Study in Managua, Nicaragua. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2015 Sep 29.
SUMMARY/ABSTRACT: Influenza is a major public health problem worldwide; however, relatively little is known about influenza in tropical regions, especially for infants. Additional information is required to inform public health policy-making, in particular vaccination guidelines.Between September 2011 and July 2013, we enrolled newborns into the Nicaraguan Birth Cohort Study. Infants were provided primary medical care and actively followed for RT-PCR-confirmed influenza virus infection when presenting with influenza-like illness or undifferentiated fever. This report presents data pertaining to the first year of life. We found a significant burden of influenza and influenza-associated severe respiratory outcomes in infants. Our results support the need to explore the potential value of vaccinating pregnant women and infants aged >6 months, as recommended by the World Health Organization in 2012.
ACCESS: Link to Pubmed