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Early Use of Anti-influenza Medications in Hospitalized Children With Tracheostomy

In a propensity score–matched cohort of 772 children with tracheostomy hospitalized with influenza, those receiving antiviral medications after admission have 15% shorter LOS. BACKGROUND: Early administration of anti-influenza medications is recommended for all children hospitalized with influenza. We investigated whether early use of anti-influenza medications is associated with improved outcomes in children with tracheostomy hospitalized with influenza. METHODS: We performed a multicenter retrospective cohort study through the Pediatric Health Information System database for patients aged 30 days to 19 years who were discharged between October 1, 2007, and September 30, 2015 with diagnostic codes for both influenza and tracheostomy. Our primary predictor was receipt of anti-influenza medications on hospital day 0 or 1. We used propensity score matching to adjust for confounding by indication. Primary outcomes were length of stay (LOS) and 30-day all-cause revisit rate (emergency department visit or hospital admission). RESULTS: Of 1436 discharges screened, 899 met inclusion criteria. The median admission age was 5 years (interquartile range: 2–10). The majority had multiple complex chronic conditions (median 3; interquartile range: 3–4) and technology dependence, such as gastrostomy tube (73.6%). After matching 772 unique admissions by propensity score, LOS was shorter for the cohort receiving early anti-influenza medications (6.4 vs 7.5 days; P = .01) without increase in revisit rate (27.5% vs 24.1%; P = .28). More than 80% in both cohorts received empirical antibiotics, and the duration of antibiotic therapy was similar (5.0 vs 5.6 days; P = .11). CONCLUSIONS: Early use of anti-influenza medications in children with tracheostomy hospitalized with influenza is associated with shorter LOS, but these children continue to receive antibiotics despite identification and treatment of their viral infections.