Clinical spectrum, risk factors, and outcomes of children with laboratory‐confirmed influenza infection managed in a single tertiary hospital: A 6‐year retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND: Influenza is a highly contagious disease that causes severe illness each year. Data in the United Arab Emirates are scarce. OBJECTIVES: To study the seasonality, morbidity, mortality rate, and comorbidities associated with confirmed influenza infection in a tertiary hospital in Al‐Ain city, UAE. METHODS: Retrospective study, from 2012 to 2017, of the electronic medical records in Tawam hospital, of children up to 15 years of age with laboratory‐confirmed influenza infection. RESULTS: There were 1392 children, with the highest number in 2017 (n = 461, 33%). The incidence peaked between October and March. The infection was more common between 1 and 11 years of age (n = 948, 68%). The overall prevalence of influenza A (n = 1144, 82%) was higher than influenza B (n = 276, 19.8%). One‐third of the patients required admission. The commonest underlying comorbidity was asthma (n = 170, 12%). The two commonest complications were pneumonia (n = 165, 12%) and acute otitis media (n = 82, 6%). CONCLUSION: Our findings serve as a benchmark for comparison with reports from other countries and need to be considered when reviewing the national vaccination program.