Contribution of influenza viruses to medically attended acute respiratory illnesses in children in high-income countries: a meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Aim

The burden of disease in children attributable to influenza viruses is difficult to quantify given the similarity of symptoms caused by infection due to influenza and other viruses. This uncertainty impacts clinical decision-making and estimates of burden. We aimed to systematically review the literature to determine the proportion of healthy children presenting for health care with an acute respiratory illness (ARI) who have laboratory-confirmed seasonal influenza (PROSPERO ID#CRD42014013896).

Method

We searched Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, and references of included articles. We included studies that used polymerase chain reaction methods to test for influenza in healthy children aged ≤5 years who presented for health care in high-income countries with an influenza-li

SUBMITTER: Buchan SA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5059948 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature