Clinical features of, treatments and preventions for newborns with pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009

Newborns should be considered to be at high risk of developing complications of novel influenza like pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009, because maternal antibodies are not transferred via crossing the placenta. In Japan, some newborns with pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 appeared non-specific symptoms, such as fever, poor activity and sucking, and apnea. A Japanese newborn infected with pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 combined with S. pneumoniae, developed severe pneumonia by which a mechanical ventilation was initiated. Orally oseltamivir(3-4 mg/kg/dose twice a day for 5 days) was used for treatments of flu-infected newborns. Contact and droplet precautions were very important measures to prevent transmission of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 virus to newborns.