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Objective: Influenza is a contagious viral respiratory tract infection that causes severe illness, particularly in high-risk populations such as young children and individuals with pre-existing health conditions. The study aims to identify clinical characteristics and key risk factors associ ated with respiratory support and mortality in children with influenza infection.
Materials and Methods: This retrospective, multicenter study was conducted across 33 hos pitals from 19 cities in Türkiye. Data from pediatric inpatients aged <18 years diagnosed with influenza between October 2023 and May 2024 were analyzed.
Results: Among 1032 hospitalized children infected with influenza, 394 (38.2%) required res piratory support. The respiratory support group was significantly younger, with a mean age of 3.40 ± 4.37 years, compared to 4.96 ± 4.36 years in the non-respiratory support group (P < .001). The frequency of any underlying disease was significantly higher in the respiratory sup port group (P < .001). Notably, conditions such as neurometabolic disorders (20.3% vs. 9.6%) and pulmonary diseases (7.1% vs. 2.8%) were more common in this group. Influenza A infection and viral coinfections, particularly with respiratory syncytial virus, increased the likelihood of mechanical ventilation and mortality. The mortality proportion of all patients with influenza infection was 1.3% and the influenza vaccine coverage was only 1.1%.
Conclusion: These findings highlight the urgent need to incorporate influenza vaccination into the national immunization program, especially for high-risk pediatric populations.
Cite this article as: Aykac K, Yakin H, Ickin ED, et al. Burden, risk factors, and clinical outcomes of pediatric influenza in a population with extremely low vaccine coverage. Turk Arch Pediatr. Published online December 30, 2025. doi: 10.5152/TurkArchPediatr.2025.25307.