1409 Tolerance of Oseltamivir for Chemoprophylaxis of Influenza a (H1N1) Infection in Neonates

Abstract

Aims: Oseltamivir can be used for chemoprophylaxis but limited data about the use of this medication in neonates are available. Side-effects of Oseltamivir described in older infants and adults are mainly digestive. According to recommendations, we used Oseltamivir in few neonates hospitalized in our unit who presented suspected or confirmed influenza A infection. We evaluated the effect of Oseltamivir on digestive tolerance and short-term growth

Methods: In infants treated with Oseltamivir (2.5 mg/kg/dose twice daily) we collected daily volume intake, body weight (to calculate weight gain, g/ kg/d) but also parameters to evaluate digestive tolerance (number and consistency of stools, residues, regurgitations, vomiting) before (period 1, P1), during (Period 2, P2) and after (period 3, P3) treatment. Weight gain and digestive tolerance during these 3 periods were compared.

Results: During the 2009-2010 season 17 infants received Oseltamivr. Post-conceptional age (median [P25-P75]) was 30 [28-33] wks at birth and 35 [33- 39] wks at begining of treatment. There was no significant difference in residues or regurgitations, and volume of milk ingested significantly increased from P1 to P3 as expected (p=0.016). The number of stools was moderately increased during treatment period (P2) (p=0.049). There was no difference in short-term growth (p=0.212).

Conclusion: This careful evaluation of digestive tolerance and growth in a limited number of hospitalized neonates suggest that Ostelmivir (2.5 mg/kg/dose twice daily) is quite well tolerated, with no significant negative effect on milk intake and weight gain.

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