Ten Years of National Seasonal Surveillance for Severe Complications of Influenza in Australian Children

BACKGROUND: Severe complications of influenza in children are uncommon but may result in admission to hospital or an intensive care unit (ICU) and death. METHODS: Active prospective surveillance using the Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit with monthly reporting by pediatricians of national demographic and clinical data on children with <15 years of age hospitalized with severe complications of laboratory-confirmed influenza during ten influenza seasons 2008-2017. RESULTS: Of 722 children notified, 613 had laboratory-confirmed influenza and at least one severe complication. Most (60%) were <5 years of age; 10% were