Novel H1N1 influenza in neonates: from mild to fatal disease

Analysis of pediatric deaths associated with pandemic a h1n1 influenza shows that fatal outcome is more likely in young children, under the age of 5. neonates, because of the immaturity of their immune system, could represent a high-risk group for severe disease and fatal outcome. we present a group of five neonates with confirmed novel influenza a h1n1 infection. this report indicates that the full spectrum of influenza a h1n1 infection ranging from mild febrile illness with spontaneous recovery to severe disease with fatal outcome may be expected even in neonates.